Kenneth Daley Anderson, 85, passed away peacefully on the evening of January 11, 2018.

He was born and raised on the family farm in McMinn County in Eastern Tennessee. After spending his youth farming, at the age of 18 he decided farming wasn't his calling and that he wanted to be a cowboy. In 1950 he moved to Sarasota, Florida to fulfill that dream. It was there that he met his future wife of 51 years, Lavon Ford. They married on June 14th, 1952 and went on to have three sons (Glen, Mike, and Rick) and four daughters (Lisa, Sharron, Deborah, and Kelly). He raised his family, ranched, and raised cattle along the southern gulf coast of Florida until 1991 when a second back surgery forced him to retire. After the passing of his wife in 2003, he decided to move back to McMinn County, or God's country as he would always proclaim. He spent more than 10 years in God's country working on his property and enjoying the clean mountain air that he always spoke so fondly of. For a man that had seen a good portion of the United States, he was always happiest and felt the most at home in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee. The final years of his life were spent back in Arcadia, FL where he could be close to most of his kids and grandkids.

It is hard to distill a man's life down to a few sentences, especially one as rich as Kenneth's. However, simply put he was a man that loved his family dearly, never met a stranger, and would do anything to help someone in need. He believed in right from wrong and wasn't afraid to stand up for what he believed in. To put it bluntly, the world lost a great man and an example of what we should all strive to be.

He is preceded by his wife Lavon and two sons Glen "Tiny" Anderson and Rick Anderson. He is survived by his

Two sisters:

Linda Jane Monroe - Las Vegas, NV

Billie Ann (Jack) Knox - Niota, TN

Three brothers:

Jerry Anderson - Niota, TN

Olen Anderson - Niota, TN

Roy Lee Anderson - Niota, TN

Five Children:

Mike Anderson – Ft. Meyers, FL

Lisa (Mickey) Strickland – Ona, FL

Sharon (Mike) Wells – Niota, TN

Debbie (Cully) Hrabal – Myakka City, FL

Kelly Anderson – Arcadia, FL

15 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren:

online condolences maybe at pongerkaysgrady.com