Leo Ronald Anderson

Leo Ronald Anderson passed away April 16, 2025, at The Groves in Independence, MO at the age of 91. Leo was born August 20, 1933, to Vincent and Catherine Anderson in Boston, MA where he spent his entire childhood as a part of a large Irish Catholic family. After High School, Leo served in the Military (Marines) as his older brothers had done.

He went to college in several states, including Ohio where he met his wife, Kathleen. After they were married, they moved to Rhode Island, Texas and Oklahoma as he pursued a very successful career as an insurance executive. They lived in Tulsa, OK for many years and were active members of the RLDS church. While there they adopted their son Max T. Anderson. The family was involved in various civic activities and Leo helped in his son’s Boy Scout troop and coached his youth hockey team.

In retirement, they all moved to Independence, MO to be near Kathleen’s family and spent 10 happy years enjoying life. Leo was pre-deceased by his wife and son. He spent his last years at The Groves which became his home. His sense of humor and quick wit enabled him to make many new friends there. He will be remembered fondly by family, friends and fellow residents.

Kathleen Anne (McKelvey) Anderson was born June 25, 1940, in Massillon, OH to Boyd and Dorothy McKelvey. She grew up with a very large and close extended family on 5 acres in the county. Growing up in the 1950s, she experienced sled rides, tree climbing, football, sock hops, bikes, taffy pulling and rock and roll. She graduated from Jackson High School in 1957 and maintained close friends with many of her classmates, returned home for many Class Reunions and became the Class historian and contact.

With her(our) father’s untimely death in 1956, Kathleen got a good job and helped our mother with expenses and raising her younger brother and sister.

Her life story continued as written above, when she married Leo Anderson. Kathleen loved reading and writing and later worked as a copy editor for many years. We are now again finding some of the heartfelt stories she had written to our mother and others about the good memories of life that they had given her, as well as the love she showed to family and friends and the memories she created for them.

Kathleen passed away on June 22, 2019, in Independence, MO while in Hospice care. She is greatly missed.