Donald Richard Anderson's Obituary
Donald Richard Anderson, age 87 of Honolulu, Hawaii, was born on October 2, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to parents Albert Kendric Anderson and Judith Anderson, and was the youngest of five children. He attended Austin High School and the Illinois College of Commerce in Chicago.
He served his country as an ambulance driver in the United States Army during the Korean War. In the midst of grave danger, he was never afraid and always believed that God was with him. He was very patriotic and loved his country. For his service and tremendous bravery, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Star.
As a consequence of extremely harsh war conditions, Donald became gravely ill. He was taken out of Korea and sent to Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. For the very first time in his life, Donald experienced the heavenly trade winds that uplifted his spirit.
He vowed that if God would heal his sick body, that he would return to his new found paradise, Hawaii. He was sent for a number of years to a military hospital at Prescott, Arizona. Donald returned to Hawaii in 1958 and he truly believed it was Divine providence.
This was the reason he fell seriously ill in order to meet his lovely wife at Makiki Christian Church of Honolulu. Donald always turned every negative situation into a positive event. He would tell this great LOVE STORY to his children and grandchildren many times with so much JOY in his bright blue eyes. God has a master plan for good for all of us he would say. What dear Donald said, he lived.
He was also a sales associate for Sears & Roebuck, and after retirement became actively involved in being a Super Grandpa. An avid reader, he especially loved reading about his favorite place in the world, Hawaii.
On January 10, 1959, he married Clarenore Yuriko Shimamura at the Makiki Christian Church. Later in life, he regularly attended First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu at Koolau with his daughter Clarrie Selbe and her family. His favorite scriptures were “God loves a thankful heart” and “The prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. George and Etsuko Ohashi were special friends as they helped to foster a deep love of God in both Donald and Clarenore. Donald was a longtime member for the Nuuanu Young Men’s Christian Association.
The most important event in his life was meeting and marrying the love of his life, Clarenore Yuriko Shimamura. They were always holding hands; he was a Prince to her Princess. He never remarried after her passing.
Donald’s favorite pastime was watching baseball. He loved to dance with Clarenore, and his favorite song was “Lady in Red”. He was a great lover of animals, and his sweet disposition was truly touching. The ultimate family man who always put his family first, he was unselfish and loved living every moment to the fullest. No matter how bleak a situation was, he always believed that there was a positive result. He was his family’s Superman, is deeply loved and will be dearly missed. He is with his beautiful bride in Heaven. Donald Richard Anderson passed on March 27, 2016 at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
He is survived by his son Timothy Y. Anderson; his daughter Clarenore “Clarrie” Yuriko Selbe and her three children: Sofia, David and Samuel; his daughter Etsuko Donnie Rincon and her three children: Daniel Jr., Donicio and Dorina. Mr. Anderson's legacy of love, faith, and courage will be reverently carried on by his remaining family. He will be forever loved!
Private services with military honors and interment at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery were held.
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