Thomas Franklin "Ta" Anderson

Funeral services for Thomas Franklin “TA” Anderson, 85, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Mark A. Newton and Brother Charles M. Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in Gann Cemetery.

Thomas was born December 12, 1938 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Kyle and Willie (Waggoner) Anderson, and passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024 in Lufkin, Texas.

After graduating from Lufkin High School in 1957 he joined the United States Army and served in Munich, Germany for two years. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. Thomas married the love of his life, JoAnn Navarro, December 3, 1960. He retired from the Lufkin paper mill after 43 years in maintenance as a welder. Thomas was famous for his many talents including welding, woodworking, creative design, and candy maker. He also authored two books about his memories growing up: Going Fishing-The Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn of Clawson, Texas and All Grown Up. Thomas was a proud member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans where he served as Commander and Chaplain as well as the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Lufkin where he served as a trustee, greeter, and on the security team.

But most importantly and perhaps most successfully, he was a proud and wonderful husband, father and grandfather! He would drop whatever he was doing if anybody needed him; he could fix just about anything and was their number one cheerleader!

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, JoAnn Anderson; son, Jeff Anderson and wife LeAnne of Lufkin; grandchildren, Cecily Smedley and husband Austin of Longview and Jarrod Anderson of Lufkin; along with many extended family members and many wonderful friends, especially the Wednesday morning “Prayer and Breakfast Bunch”.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Corbett Anderson.

Pallbearers are Bob Anderson, Jarrod Anderson, Ed Domingue, Jerry Hennington, Rex Keese, Bob Little, and Bob Telford.

Honorary pallbearers are George Chandler, John Ralph Pouland, and Steve Fieldcamp.

The family would also like to thank Drs. Huber, Nazeer, Kumar and Mangla, as well as the doctors and staff members at SNG Dialysis, Woodland Heights Medical Center, and Hospice in the Pines for their kind and compassionate care of Thomas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Lufkin Building Fund, 106 E. Bremond Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.