Harold was born on July 28th, 1943 in a farmhouse south of Perry to Emmitt W. & O. Lucile (Fazel) Anderson. Around the age of one, his family moved to the Dallas Center area where he started school. Later he also attended school at Gardener. At the age of 8 his family moved to Bouton where he went to school until 9th grade. It was there that he created most of his childhood memories. He finished high school at Perry High School, graduating as a member of the class of 1962.
In 1960, while in the 10th grade, he bought his first livestock truck and started his trucking business, joining in partnership with is dad, EW, “Anderson & Son Trucking”. Being too young to hold a CDL, he hired a driver to drive for him while he finished high school.
On March 20, 1964, he married Shirley M. Hicks. Together they raised their two sons, Rodney & Rusty.
In 1971, the livestock business was pretty much gone, Harold sold his semi and went to work for Dallas County running a road maintainer out of the Woodward Maintenance shed until 1979. He worked a couple of years for Oscar Meyer. After 20 years of plowing snow for the Iowa DOT out of the Perry complex, in 2002 Harold took early retirement. He spent the last of his working years, as a part time school bus driver for Perry Schools. A Job that he dearly loved.
He excelled in so many ways, from being a scout leader when the boys were younger, talking with drivers ed students about driving safely in winter conditions plus showing them about the snow removal trucks, winning truck roadeos with the DOT, getting several awards, recognitions, & certifications, to teaching truck driving classes at DMACC in the summer time. In early years he enjoyed being on bowling and soft ball leagues with his buddies.
Though the years, Harold enjoyed going to stock car races as well as his yearly trip with his boys to the Knoxville track, working with his sports card collection, watching football with his boys, taking the Perry school kids to games and school activities, eating out with friends, visiting the casinos, and later doing diamond dotz.
Harold enjoyed life to the fullest, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He never met a stranger. He could talk and laugh with anyone.
Proceeding him in death was his father, Emmitt (EW), his mother, Lucile, his sister, Rose Chambers, Sister- in- laws, Brenda Brown & Winona Roberts, Brother-in-law, Lester Hicks.
He leaves behind his wife, Shirley of 56 years, his Sons Rodney of Boone & Rusty (Lori) of Ankeny. Grandson, Ryan Anderson, Granddaughters, Beth & Shania Anderson & Katie Gazzo. Adopted son, Rod (Lorrie) Trogdon of Clive, their family, Brian (Alicia) Trogdon, Christine (Justin) Boat & their families. Sister, Joan (Jim) Hicks of Perry, Sister- in- laws, Iola Bainter of Perry, Carolyn Wachter of Liberty Center, Brother- in- laws, Jim Hicks of Perry, Bruce (Gale) Hicks of Rippey, Barry (Patty) Hicks of DM, several cousins, nieces and nephews, other relatives and numerous friends.
Due to Covid 19, a Celebration of Life is planned for a later date with a private burial at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry.