Rick Anderson passed away on June 22, 2025, after a short battle with liver cancer. Services will be Saturday July 5, 2025, at Cushing First Baptist Church at 10:00 A.M.
Richard Allen Anderson was born on 10/17/1953 in Fairbanks, Alaska to Richard “Dick” Anderson and Mary Ruth Anderson. Rick had twin younger brothers, Ron and Randy Anderson.
Rick moved from Fairbanks to Cushing, Oklahoma with his family in 1956. He attended Hillside Elementary Schools and grew up in Drake addition. His family moved to nearby Stillwater during his early junior high school year and he graduated from Stillwater High School in 1971.
After graduating he began a long career as a heavy equipment operator and helped to build the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, the Cimarron Turnpike, and many other notable roadways and infrastructure around Oklahoma. Rick received recognition for crossing the Arctic Circle in Alaska on 09/04/1974 enroute to Barter Island, which is the farthest northern point on the north American continent, and worked over several years to clear the ride-of-way for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline all the way south to Valdez. Subsequently, he served one term as the Payne County, OK District 1 Commissioner and was instrumental in acquiring matching state and federal funds to build the Cimarron River bridge connecting Cushing to Yale in the 1980’s. Following his term as Commissioner, Rick joined Sherwood Construction where he operated heavy equipment on jobs around Oklahoma for the duration of his career to most recently include working at a rock quarry in Tulsa at Sherwood’s sister company Greenhill Material. He married Nancy Betchan in 1975, and they built a home in rural Cushing where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and raising catfish, cattle, and horses. They had two children, Hunter Anderson born 11/29/1979, and Jessica Jane “JJ” Anderson born 09/25/1984.
Rick loved playing, working, and entertaining on his land with his kids and friends building a diving board and deck on the back pond, 3 story archery stand and archery range, motorcross track, and a baseball diamond complete with a backstop and bleachers. Friends and community often came out and participated. He also built an amazing riverside camp he called Camp Copperhead including a giant firepit, outdoor camp kitchen, an outhouse, and a spacious tent with handmade bunk beds.
Rick was a longtime member of Council Valley Baptist Church where he enjoyed singing in his own unique country style. He carried his love of singing in church to his later church home at Eastland Assembly in Tulsa. He married Sherri Kirkpatrick in 2003 and lived with her in Tulsa until her passing in 2021.
Rick retired in 2025 after learning he had liver cancer. He made plans to build his dream retirement house next door to his daughter and grandkids in Cushing where he looked forward to living his retirement dream. He met Linda Gazella from Wisconsin in 2024 who has been a loyal and true friend not only to Rick but the entire family. They had a bucket list of retirement dreams.
Rick is survived by his son Hunter and grandsons, Jaxon Anderson and Owen Anderson all from San Antonio, Texas. He is also survived by his daughter JJ and grandkids Trace Wood and Natalie Wood from Cushing. He is also survived by his brother Ron Anderson from Ada, OK. His other brother Randy Anderson passed away in1986.
Rick was a loving man, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to so many. His positive character and upbeat disposition will forever serve as an example to all of us.
