Scott Anderson

Throughout a journey that spanned times of conflict and peace, plenty and want, loss and unspeakable joy, Scott Anderson never lost sight of what mattered most. He was a constant source of strength and encouragement, and he was always willing to go above and beyond to serve anyone and everyone. A dedicated family man, Scott could always be counted on to be there for his girls. His love for his people was limitless, and there was nothing he would not do for his friends, family, and employees. Already so dearly missed, Scott will be forever loved by those that knew him best.

The late 1950s were some of the most exciting years to be alive, especially here in the United States. Humanity rose to new heights with space exploration, and the race to the moon was on. Rock and roll took the world by storm, breathing new life into the music scene, and iconic TV shows such as I love Lucy and Leave it to Beaver played on televisions across the country. It was during this exciting time that Ted and Billie (Decker) Anderson of Allegan, Michigan were excitedly awaiting the arrival of their third baby boy. On April 23 of 1959, their wait came to an end, and they were so happy to announce the birth of their son, Scott.

Growing up, Scott was a typical boy from his generation. He loved to fish, catch bugs, and hang around the Edison neighborhood with his brothers. He lived in the family home with four of his six siblings, Mark, Chris, David, and Kevin. At the time, the family did not have much money, and their father Ted put a lot of focus on his entrepreneurial endeavors. This meant the boys had to rely on each other. In the winter they often went without heat, and sometimes even without food. Despite this, they would always make the most out of what they had. These hardships shaped Scott into an incredible brother, friend, and father, and he always made sure his children did not have to go through what he did growing up.

A new chapter was about to unfold in Scott’s life when he met a young woman named Rhonda. He first spotted her walking around downtown Kalamazoo, and he stopped to give her a ride. He was immediately smitten. They would meet again when the two of them happened to both be at the laundromat and he bought her a coffee. Though they hardly knew each other at that point, Rhonda was sure she would marry him. Their relationship really began when Rhonda got a job at the cinema, where Scott also worked. Scott and Rhonda were united in marriage, and they soon welcomed their three daughters, Jessica, Becky, and Veronica, into their hearts and home. Although their marriage would eventually end in divorce, Scott and Rhonda remained close friends. He was always grateful for the time and children they shared.

Scott had many unique jobs in his early life. After his time operating the film projector at the Cinema Theater, he went on to work at Murco. Though he did not enjoy this job, he showed up every day in order to put food on the table for his girls. He also helped out his brother Mark chauffeuring for his limousine business. Here Scott had the opportunity to chauffer for some of his favorite bands and musicians, like Van Halen, Ted Nugent, and Alice Cooper. On the side, he began growing marijuana with his brother Mark, and he discovered he had quite the green thumb. In fact, he made so much money from this that he was able to open his own bait shop for a time. He would then go on to work at his dad’s business, Ted’s Appliance. Here he started out by getting certified in refrigeration, but he would later go on to be foreman and co-run the business with his brothers Kevin and Mark. Though his pot-growing days were behind him, he continued to show off his gardening skills and affinity for nature by maintaining beautiful planter boxes at the Ted’s storefront. He even had a little starling named Bird-Bird who would fly onto his head every morning when he arrived at Ted’s.

Scott was destined to be a girl dad. He was very involved in the lives of his daughters and shared special experiences with each of them. Scott taught Jessica how to fix everything from refrigerators to cars, and she has worked by his side at Ted’s for many years. He and Veronica enjoyed fishing, snake catching, and golfing together. They would sometimes be out on the lake as late as 3AM catching bullfrogs off lily pads. Scott was a huge supporter of Becky’s cheerleading, making sure she made it to practices, games and competitions. He also taught Becky how to drive a stick shift after he gifted her first car. Scott enjoyed taking them to Milham Park to feed the sometimes-grouchy ducks, he loved going to the Kalamazoo County Fair in the summer and weekly Wednesday trips to Old Country Buffet, which always finished with either bread pudding or chocolate cake. More than anything, Scott loved spending quality time with his girls, even if this included taking them to an NSYNC concert full of screaming teenagers. He loved it all.

In his free time, Scott was an avid fan of music. He was an excellent guitar player and enjoyed listening to classic rock and blues. On Sunday afternoons he would jam along to the blues day on 107.7 WRKR. Scott also loved his coffee, Reese’s peanut butter cups, beer, and Marlboro Reds. Bowling, fishing, and golfing were some of his favorite ways to stay active. Scott played for a bowling league at Continental Lanes for many years, and bowled many perfect 300 games in his career. In his later years, he adopted a fur friend named Bella who now lives with his sister Lisa. Bella brought Scott an incredible amount of happiness in their time together. During his final weeks in the hospital, Scott was spoiled with lots of head scratches from loved ones, which brought him such comfort and happiness. He also enjoyed many glasses of orange juice, Fresca, Vernors and even a couple sips of chocolate malt with extra malt.

When reflecting on the life of Scott Anderson, it is easy to see both his unwavering strength and his unconditional love for his family. He was a shining example of selflessness, always thinking of others before himself. Devoted to his siblings and daughters, Scott cherished every moment with loved ones, and he was so thankful to spend his last weeks close to his family. His generosity left an unforgettable impact on all those near. Although he will be greatly missed, Scott leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones will be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

Scott Anderson of Kalamazoo, age 66, died on March 6, 2026. He was born April 23, 1959, in Allegan to Ted and Billie Anderson. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Chris Anderson and Mark Anderson. Surviving are his children: Jessica Anderson, Becky (Tom) Leach, Veronica Anderson; siblings: David (Jalene) Anderson, Kevin Anderson, Teddie Trainer, Lisa Anderson; and many extended family.

Please join us at a Life Story Service on Thursday, March 12 at 4pm at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center where food, drinks, and stories can be shared. Celebrate Scott’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.