I was honored to speak at my father's funeral this past weekend. I wasn't sure if I could get through this, but I knew I would regret it if I didn't try.
Craig Garrett Anderson, son of Edward and Frances, husband to Mary, father to Chris, Krista, and Chase, grandfather to Kylie, Colin, Benjamin, Kenzie, Nathan, and Jonathan, brother to Susan, Uncle, Nephew, and friend to many, passed away on April 3 surrounded by his loving family in Sunnyvale, TX.
The world lost a wonderful man that day. My dad was one of the most selfless people that I know. He lived his life doing for other people. His work ethic was strong, and he had many talents. He may have had a tough personality, but he had a soft heart. He never met a stranger, and when he saw anyone he thought was in need, he would do whatever he could to help that person. He loved to make people smile and was always up for a good joke. And yes, sometimes his jokes went a little too far.
I had heard stories about him getting up with me for middle-of-the-night bottle feedings when I was just an infant. He let my mom sleep and get her rest, and he still got up the following day to go to work. As a young child, I remember him joining our kindergarten class on our field trip to the pumpkin patch. I remember picking a small pumpkin and getting a ride in his work car. I thought that was the coolest thing. Growing up, he was always at my school plays, choir concerts, and drill team performances. Even as an adult, he was there to help me move in and out of my first apartment and house with a plan of moving every piece of my furniture up and down the stairs on his own.
His heart for others was big. He loved working at the State Fair every year. He was a State Fair expert. He could direct you to the closest Fletchers corny dog stand, all the new cars on display, and any fried food your heart could desire. I recently learned that he would often chase down the delivery men who brought packages to the door to give them some money for lunch. Every time he came over to visit my family, he always had a new gadget. We now have a lemon and lime squeezer, a watermelon cutter, and an avocado peeler. He was so proud to give me little items for my treasure box when I taught kindergarten. A couple of weeks ago, he was telling me about all the State Fair of Texas memorabilia that he had saved up that he wanted to give me to give to my students. He wanted to make sure I was always taken care of. Five years into teaching, I took a position in a different district and needed an easel. I showed him exactly what I wanted, and he came to the rescue. I was so proud of the easel he made.
One of my dad’s favorite things to do was see his grandchildren. He sure did love singing and dancing for them. He loved hearing stories about them and seeing pictures of their shenanigans. We even found a poem he wrote inspired by one of the boys sneaking donuts off the counter. PawPaw was always up for a Facetime call. All of his grandkids loved his dancing Christmas hat and enjoyed opening multiple Pez dispensers he had given them for Christmas this past year. We didn’t think it would be our last Christmas together.
We all fought hard for him to get all he deserved during his last month. We were by his side through it all, the cheerful days and the hard days. During the last few weeks of his life, he kept telling us how grateful he was that we were there to help him. He teared up many times thinking about those who do not have people to fight for them. He kept saying he was ready to see his Granny, Granddad, and my Nanny. Daddy, now you are there with all of them, celebrating and probably wearing your dancing Santa hat. Please know that I love you, and I will miss you terribly. We will take care of each other and always remember the good times. You were full of life and love; our lives will never be the same without you.