Mr. Steve R. Anderson, known by countless students and colleagues as Coach Anderson, died peacefully in the early morning of June 25, 2022. The cause of death was complications from a short battle with bone cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Melissa B. Anderson, sons Adam D. and Matthew F., and a close nephew, Michael Anderson of Tucker, Ga.

Mr. Anderson was born in Somerset, KY., on May 19, 1938; he was raised in St. Mary's, OH., by his grandmother, lovingly called "Big Mom". After graduating from Memorial High School  in 1956, he spent a year at Ohio State University in Athens, OH., on a football scholarship. Deciding that collage was not a "good fit" for him at the time, he enlisted in the United States Army. During his time of service, he was a paratrooper with the 101st Division, the "Screamin' Eagles".

Shortly after leaving the army, he met his wife and best friend, Missi. She encouraged him to join her as a student at Bowling Green State University. He graduated from there with a bachelor's degree in 1967. He next completed his master's degree, aided by a coaching fellowship, in 1968.

He and Missi moved to Georgia in June of 1969. After working for the Atlanta and Fulton County School Systems, he was hired by the Cobb County Board of Education to teach and coach at Campbell High School in 1973. He transferred to Walton High School in 1978, again as a teacher and coach. He will long be remembered for his prowess as a mentor for football and wrestling teams, as well as his love of teaching geography and social studies. There are also hundreds of students who will especially recall Coach Anderson as their driver education teacher. They will also remember him for sponsoring their Close Up trips to Washington, D.C. in the 1990's. He formally ended his career as an educator in 1999.

While Adam and Matt were growing up, family vacations to N. Myrtle Beach were on Steve and Missi's summer travel agenda. They began their long-range travel adventures in 2001. These included Hawaii, Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and France, as well as trips on the Rhine and Danube Rivers.

He was an avid gardener, a skillful cook, a reader, and an occasional golfer. He was also very active as a certified official in the National Track and Field Association.  In addition, he thoroughly enjoyed classic country music, the Atlanta Braves, and watching the Ohio State Buckeyes. Like his sons, he had an extraordinary way with animals. His family hopes that, as part of his eternal reward, he has found the ultimate peace and joy with his beloved pets as well as family preceding him in death.

His surviving family and friends will miss him beyond measure.

A Celebration of Life with military honors will be held at Marietta Funeral Home on Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 1:30-4:00pm.

For those unable to attend, the service will be live streamed through the Marietta Funeral Home Facebook page found here.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cobb County Animal Shelter .