Merrill James Anderson

Anderson, Merrill J. (Andy)
8/23/1932 – 11/28/2022

Merrill Anderson was born in a Union Pacific section house in Brady, Nebraska on August 23, 1932. His father was Leonard Theodore Anderson and his mother was Opal Mae Craig. He started school in 1937 in North Platte, NE and went to school in Korty, NE until 1942, then moved to Gering, NE from 1943 to 1947. He went to Grand Island High School in 1948 and graduated in 1951, while working for Union Pacific Railroad as a crew caller.

The Korean War had started and instead of being drafted, he chose to enlist in the Navy. He went to boot camp on June 1951 in San Diego, CA. Due to his high math and science scores during boot camp testing, he was qualified for radio, radar and navigation. He was assigned to the troop transport ship USS Okanogan right after boot camp. His first job on the ship was to drop the boat ramp on the beach for troops to debark for battle. Soon after, he had the opportunity to join the Radar Division. He became the leading Petty Officer in the Radar Division.

While in the service, he started receiving letters from Violet Specht in Gering, NE, who knew Merrill’s sister Phyllis and she suggested writing to him. Since he had lived in Gering for a few years, they knew many of the same people. They exchanged letters for nine months sharing about their lives and families. Their relationship grew through their letters, and Merrill knew that he wanted to meet Violet. In June 1953, he went on liberty for two weeks to date her. He walked into the Gering drug store where she worked and ordered something to drink at the soda fountain. He noticed the same pretty smile from the photos she sent. Merrill asked her out on a date, and they went out every day for a week, and met each other’s families. Violet drove with Merrill and his parents to the depot in Cheyenne, WY so he could catch a train back to his ship in Port at Long Beach, CA. As he and Violet stood outside the depot and the train was ready to pull away, before he hopped on, he proposed. He wasn’t planning to ask her at that moment, but suddenly knew that he had to before heading back. She was surprised and said yes! While on another leave, they were married on November 29, 1953, in Quartzsite, AZ. They were stationed in Long Beach and then San Diego until he was discharged in 1955. Their parents said that it would never last, but their 69th wedding anniversary was on November 29, 2022.

After leaving the Navy, Merrill rejoined the Union Pacific Railroad. Since he had taken a leave of absence, he was qualified to continue work with the railroad. Due to his math and navigation skills from the Navy, he chose to work as an Engineering Surveyor. He went to work on the Chief Engineer’s Travelling Survey Crew in September 1955. He did survey work in Wyoming, Nevada, California, Montana, Kansas and Nebraska. During that time period, they lived in Rock Springs, WY, Ogden, UT, Lima, MT, Portland, OR, Topeka, KS, Los Angeles, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Grand Island and North Platte, NE, back to Ogden, UT, then Omaha, NE, St. Louis, MO and back to Omaha, NE for the remainder of his career. While in Omaha, he spent the majority of his time leading the Classification Yard and Terminal Design team at UPRR Headquarters Building. His team was responsible for the design of many rail yards around the country, including the Bailey Yard in North Platte and the Hinkle Yard in Oregon. He was widely regarded as an expert in his field and led the American Railway Engineering Association’s Yards and Terminals committee for several years. His final position with UPRR was as Construction Engineer for the 23,000 mile railroad network. He retired from the railroad in 1988 and spent 8 years working on yard and terminal design as a consultant for HDR in Omaha.

He enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing and boating. He loved spending time with family and sharing nursery rhymes and funny stories with his grandchildren.

Merrill and Violet’s life has been blessed with three children, nine grandchildren & thirteen great grandchildren:

Son - Kurt (Karen) Anderson; grandson Nick Anderson, grandson Trent (Katie) Anderson, great grandchildren Canon and Aiden.

Daughter - Lila Anderson; grandson Mike (Rena) Gilliam, great grandchildren Jaxon and Alexis; granddaughter Krystin (Nick) Fotoplos, great grandchildren Hunter, Avery and Gavin; granddaughter Laura (Jason) Babilonia, great grandchildren Mason, Jackson and Judah.

Son - Kyle (Karen) Anderson; grandson Austin (Paige) Anderson, great grandchildren Cali and Elijah; granddaughter Ashley (Andrew) Foell; grandson Alex Anderson; granddaughter Andie (Jacob) Cornelio, grandchild Olive and another on the way.

Merrill is also survived by his sister Carole Lee Mathews, and preceded in death by father Leonard Anderson, mother Opal (Craig) Anderson, Phyllis (Anderson) Peterson.

A CELEBRATION OF MERRILL’S LIFE will be held on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 at 11:00 am, with family receiving friends one hour prior to the service, all at Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel).

Click here , to view livestream of Merrill's Service

PRIVATE INTERMENT at Omaha National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 8790 F Street, Suite 404, Omaha, NE 68127.

Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel)
6505 S. 144th St.
Omaha, NE 68137
402-895-3400