Earl Anderson Obituary

Earl M. Anderson Resident of Modesto Earl, 73, died quietly in his sleep on March 21, 2013, surrounded by his family. Born April 9, 1939 in Antioch, CA, Earl is preceded in death by his loving parents, Fred and Florence Anderson and his sister, Karla Dickson. He leaves behind his companion of 7 years Michelle Tucker; the mother of his children and former wife, Shirlee Anderson; his loving son Montgomery Anderson and daughter-in-law, Megan Bellue, of Carmichael and his daughter, Laura Anderson-Eldeeb and son-in-law, Aladdin Eldeeb, of Dublin. Earl leaves behind five loving grandchildren ranging in age from 10 to 24; Kristopher Anderson of Modesto, Emily Anderson of Menlo Park, Maryam Eldeeb, Nadiah Eldeeb, and Ameenah Eldeeb, all of Dublin. After graduating from San Jose State University, already a married father, Earl went on to complete an MBA at the University of California at Berkeley. It was at this time that Earl took the only real break from his career, when he spent that summer at his family's beloved cabin at Pinecrest, CA. From then on, Earl's life was a hard-charging, often uncompromising adventure. His career began in earnest with stints at US Steel, and a Swedish steel company which took the family, now including Laura, to Lesjofors, Sweden. Earl returned to the U.S. to work at FMC where he spent 13 years moving around the country gaining a wide variety of skills ranging from manufacturing to marketing. Upon the death of his father in 1981, Earl started his company, Jackrabbit, with an idea and a relentless optimism he displayed throughout his life. From its humble and shaky beginnings, Earl grew the company that also now includes Dakota Ag, (another agricultural machinery operation) to 75 employees, many of whom have served the company for many years. While steering Jackrabbit, Earl refined and expanded its products and became an industry leader in nut harvesting equipment. He took great pride in having expanded the company's clients to include growers throughout the United States, Australia and China. Known by all as a fun-loving, exacting man, Earl was an accomplished alpine skier, backpacker, swimmer and tennis player. Earl loved opera, art, fine food, the company of his many friends, and his cat and breakfast companion, Hannibal, 16, also of Modesto. Earl was an engaged grandfather who loved watching sports with his grandson, Kris, and taking his girls, Emily, Maryam, Nadiah and Ameenah to theater productions. He will be missed - by his family, by his companion, Michelle, by his colleagues, his huge network of friends, his Monday night crew and of course, by Hannibal the cat. We were all lucky to know him. Franklin & Downs Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. A Memorial Service will be held at the Wood Colony Hall located at 3549 Dakota Avenue in Modesto. Remembrances may be made in honor of Earl's life to Community Hospice - 4368 Spyres Way in Modesto or to the Brethren Heritage School - 3549 Dakota Avenue in Modesto. To express condolences to the family, please visit his online guestbook at www.franklindownsfuneralhome.com (search obituaries).