LeRoy Raymond Anderson, 86 of Chico, California, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2019 after a long struggle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and enlarged aorta.

LeRoy is survived by his wife Janette of 63 years, son Joseph Anderson, daughters Jeanine Anderson, Tamara Pieri, son-in-law Robert Pieri and Grand Children Robert David Pieri & Brittney Pieri all from Napa, California and nieces, nephews and extended family. LeRoy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and fix-it man for many.

LeRoy was preceded by his Father Edwin Anderson, Mother Helgena Anderson and Brothers Larry, Lavern and Lew.

LeRoy was born November 19, 1933 in Volga South Dakota to Edwin and Helgena Anderson. At an early age the family moved to Orland, Ca. Leroy graduated from Orland high school in 1951. After being childhood acquaintances, LeRoy and Janette started dating briefly before Leroy entered the U.S. Army. He served in Germany as a M41 Tank Commander for 2 years. Returning home in 1956, he married the love of his life, Janette Holvik December 29, 1956.

LeRoy entered the work force with his Uncles, Stub and Benny, as a carpenter. Then he became a butcher at a local meat market and grocery store.

In 1966 he moved his family to Napa, California where he went to work to pursue his career at Mare Island Naval Shipyard where he became an Optical Engineer at the Optical alignment shop. He headed the team who developed a process known as water born alignment in which naval vessels could remain at sea saving our government millions of dollars. In 1972 he received an exceptional performance award for the successful completion of the first Waterborne Optical Alignment on the USS PERMIT, SSN 594. LeRoy also spent months at a time in Japan working on the USS MIDWAY, which now is a museum in San Diego, California.

In 1987 LeRoy retired from Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Soon followed by his wife's retirement, LeRoy and Janette sold their house and pursued their life long dreams of traveling in an RV across the United States and surrounding areas for 18 years. They were able to spend months at a time in Alaska fulfilling his love for fishing.

Soon after buying a house and settling in Green Valley, Arizona for 10 years, they moved to Chico, California to be closer to family.

LeRoy had an avid interest of ancestry and spent numerous hours searching his family roots, which led them to multiple trips to Norway to connect with newfound family. He also over the years developed a love for woodworking; he loved working with his hands. He built 17 flag boxes for friends and relatives, including his own.

Memorial services for LeRoy Raymond Anderson will be held at 11 a.m. Friday November 15, 2019, at The First Lutheran Church at 19 Colusa st. Orland, Ca. Burial will follow at Masonic Cemetery. Friends and family may visit November 14, 2019 4-8pm at Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary 825 A St. Orland, Ca 95963. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The First Lutheran Church of Orland, Ca.