Obituary for
Elmer Owen Anderson
Elmer “Andy” Anderson
Born June 18, 1925
Died February 4th, 2017
Elmer “Andy” Anderson passed away peacefully February 4th at home. He was born June 18, 1925, to Tip and Lottie Clapp Locke Anderson, the youngest of 6 children. He was a member of the pioneer Locke family of Lockeford, Clapp family of Manteca, and Anderson family of Tulare County. Elmer attended Lockeford School and Lodi High School, where he played football. He worked on the Locke Ranch upon leaving high school. He married his high school sweetheart, Bernice Schmidt on December 25, 1944. In June, 1945, he went into the Army Air Corps, stationed at Shepherd Field, Texas, then Keisler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi. He then served in Hanau, Germany in the occupation forces as a welder and mechanic. He returned home in 1946. He continued to work on the Locke Ranch, and later for his brother, Howard farming. In 1956 he went to work for East Bay Municipal Utilities District in the Lafayette Maintenance Yard, moving to Lafayette. In 1958 he transferred to the Stockton Maintenance Yard, where he remained until his retirement as heavy equipment operator after 35 years. When he transferred to Stockton, he and Bernice purchased a house in Stockton, and welcomed the arrival of their daughter Shirley. In 1968, Elmer, Bernice, and Shirley returned to Lockeford to care for his parents, where he resided until his death. Elmer and Bernice were involved in Grace Church, and later First Baptist Church in Lodi. They also were involved in the San Joaquin County Historical Society, the Lockeford Historical Society, and Harmony Grove Cemetery Board. They also enjoyed traveling, singing, camping and fishing. Since his retirement, Elmer was also a member of the Monday Morning Mechanics tractor club with the San Joaquin County Historical Society in Micke Grove, an activity he enjoyed until an injury 7 years ago. Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Tip and Lottie Anderson of Lockeford; brother, Steve Anderson of Lockeford, brother, Howard (Betty) Anderson of Galt; brother, Robert “Bob” (Gladys) Anderson of Lodi sister, Eleanor (Arch) Ernst of Fair Oaks, sister, Martha (John) Thornton of Napa. His wife, Bernice preceded him in death two and half years ago, shortly before their 70th anniversary. He is survived by his daughter, Shirley (Jack) Grenig of Modesto; grandson, Zac Grenig of Modesto; twin granddaughters, Alecia and Melissa Grenig of Modesto; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his faithful caregivers, Ning Seruntine and Blanche Reyes, who have blessed us beyond measure the last two and a half years. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of San Joaquin, San Joaquin County Historical Society, or the Lockeford Historical Society. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 17, 2017, 12:00 noon, at First Baptist Church. Committal will be private
