Richard “Pete” Anderson (8-10-14) service 8-14-14
Richard Eugene “Pete” Anderson was born in Martha, Tenn., on March 16, 1927, the son of the late Hugh Larkin and Dovie Proctor Anderson.
Pete, as he was known by everyone, spent his childhood in Bowling Green, Ky., which he always made sure everyone knew was his hometown, and graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1948. He served his country for two years in the United States Army. He received an athletic scholarship for football to the University of Louisville, Ky. He later transferred to Bethel College in McKenzie, Tenn., where he lettered in both basketball and football, earning his Bachelors degree, and later his Masters degree in education from the University of Memphis. He is also an inductee in the Bethel College Sports Hall of Fame.
On Dec. 23, 1951, he was united in marriage to Bobbie Sue Seaton, who survives.
Pete began his teaching and coaching career in Henry, Tenn. He then accepted a coaching position in Halls, Tenn. In 1958, he joined the Hardin County School System as a coach and teacher. In 1965, he returned to McKenzie as a coach and a school administrator. He then returned to Halls, Tenn., as principal of grades 7-12 in 1968. In 1972 he returned to Savannah where he accepted the position of supervisor of curriculum instruction, in addition to serving as a coach and athletic director, until he retired in 1989. In 2013 he was inducted into the Hardin County Sports Hall of Fame.
Pete was an avid sports fan and golfer. He devoted his life to the education of young people by serving as a mentor and leading by example.
He was a member of the Olivet Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a member of the Retired Teachers Association, and a member of the Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years.
Pete departed this life on Sunday, Aug. 10, in Memphis, at the age of 87 years, 4 months and 25 days.
In addition to his wife Bobbie of 62 years, he is survived by his children, Beth Hudson of Knoxville and Fran Shaw and her husband Thad of Woodstock, Ga.; five grandchildren, Allison Hudson, Brittany Hudson, Thomas Hudson and his wife Caitlyn, Bryson Shaw and Olivia Shaw; one great-grandchild, Rhys; one sister, Margaret Forshee of Bowling Green, Ky.; one brother-in-law, David Seaton and his wife Linda of Savannah.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one son-in-law, Tom Hudson; one sister, Dorothy Bone; and one brother, Thomas Anderson.
Services were held on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 3 p.m., at Olivet Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Savannah with Duwayne Pounds officiating. Burial followed in the Memory Gardens at Savannah.