Anderson Brown Jr.
Published 9:09 am Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Anderson “Tank” Brown Jr. was a strong, educated private man with a tireless devotion to youth, education and humanity. No one will ever again embody his traits, gone too soon. The Lord called him home on Sunday morning, Oct. 26, 2014.
Anderson was a former resident of Bogalusa.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, at Crain and Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Bogalusa from 2 to 7 p.m. Viewing will also be held on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. at Harry’s Chapel United Methodist Church at 59405 Mitchell Road in Bogalusa. Services will be at 11 a.m. at Harry’s Chapel, with the Rev. Nolan Robinson officiating. Interment will be in The Duffy Memorial Garden in Lees Creek,
He leaves to mourn one aunt, Mamie Garrett of Folsom; four sisters, Nadine Foster of Atlanta, Cleta Lee and Amanda Smith of Rochester, N.Y., and Clementine Ratliff of Gardena, Calif.; a brother, Calvin Brown of Bogalusa; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends who will miss “Tank” immensely.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anderson Brown and Rosie Lee Johnson Brown; three sisters, Marjorie Jefferson, Marcell Smith and Brenda Broussard; and a brother, Alvin Brown.
Anderson loved his family and had tremendous pride in his sisters and brother, including those added to our family, Dhana Hunter, Wanda Marshall, Loretta Hunter and the late Theta Mae Varnado; special friends Grady Mixon and Joann “Babe” Hartwell and Juanita Ray; play daughters, Lori Fisher and Jacqueline Ray Phillips; godchildren, Jessica Ratcliff, Jontel Phillips, Miko Phillips, and Clarissa Lester; and his play granddaughters, Taylor Fisher and Morgan Fisher.
Anderson grew up at Harry’s Chapel U,M. Church where he was involved in all church activities. He attended elementary, junior high and senior high school in Bogalusa. After his school, he attended Grambling State University, where he earned his Bachelors of Arts in social science. After graduation, he began teaching in Louisiana. In 1970, “Tank” decided to move and establish his life in California, joining the faculty at David Middle School as a teacher.
In 1971, he enrolled at Pepperdine University, where he completed his master’s degree in public school administration and supervision. In 1975, he transferred to Centennial Senior High School, where he held many positions in the counseling complex, athletics director, assistant football coach and many after-school programs and community outreach programs.