Birth date: Jan 21, 1959 Death date: Jun 13, 2024
Brian Keith Anderson, 65, departed this life on June 13, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents John & Betty Anderson, brother Keith Anderson, and sister Lisa Coker. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Patricia Mattair Read Obituary
Brian was 4 years older than me and I have so many memories of him…. too many to write them all down. But some of my favorite memories of Brian were when we were growing up, back in Opa-Locka. I remember the times we would play “War” outside with the neighborhood kids until it got dark (We always had to make sure we were home by the time the street lights came on). Another memory was of the times he and I would Roller Skate together around our block the year we got Skates for Christmas back in 1971.
Brian had a gentle side to him as well. There was the time that he found a baby pigeon that fell out of its nest. He fed and took care of it naming him Oscar and even built a birdhouse for him. He loved all the animals we had growing up, taking in stray dogs and cats. But my Brother had a little devilish side to him too. Like the time he caught a lizard and put it in a small box that he had built out of popsicle sticks and attached a couple of helium balloons to it and let it float away. We never did know where that poor lizard ended up.
As teenagers, living in Plant City, I used to love riding with him on the back of his motorcycles, and going to Crystal Springs when he got his first car. As time went by, I enjoyed all of our family get-togethers as our families grew, sharing stories around bonfires and all the laughter those special times brought us.
No doubt that there were times when we were young that he must have thought I was just a tag-a-long Baby Sister, but I’m sure deep down he loved having someone who looked up to him and that he knew he would always be there for me when I needed a Big Brother.
Brian was always protective of me growing up, and his Brotherly love remained strong throughout our Adulthood. Brian…..I am so thankful to have had you in my life as my Brother, and I miss you dearly.
You are gone, but never forgotten. Give Mom and Dad and Lisa a big hug for me…...
I hope you knew that I loved you then, I love you now, and I will always love you to infinity and beyond!
Love Always, your Baby Sister Donna.
Best Dad in the whole world. Amazing papa. Wish we had more time together with you. We love you daddy
Our family lived across the street from the Anderson family when Brian was about 5 years old. I was older, and close friends with his oldest sister Kathy. I spent a lot of time at the Anderson home, and fondly remember Kathy’s little brother, Brian. Over the years, I had a few more opportunities to visit with him, both as a teen and as an adult. My sincere condolences to his family.
Often he would share the branches and leaves when he trimmed his trees by putting them over the fence for the goats to nibble. And then he would stand there and watch them for a few minutes. We always loved how Brian kept his yard and garden so beautiful. He spent a lot of time outside in his overalls. Our nickname for Brian was "the gentleman farmer".
