Troy Gary Anderson

Troy’s wife, Gayle, and sons, Justice and Grady, will have a Celebration of Life for him this Spring at an outdoor location that was meaningful to him, his wife, and sons.

Troy died on Tuesday, February 24th , at the farm he grew up on and farmed at with his grandpa and dad for many years of his life. On that sad day, our Troy, with his sweet soul, sensitive heart, and beautiful, fractured mind, ended his life in this world in hopes of finding a peaceful, pain-free existence in Heaven. May he rest in peace in God’s loving arms.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials. They can be sent to First Baptist Church, East Melgaard Road, Aberdeen, SD 57401. 

Troy was born in Webster, SD on December 14, 1966 to Gary and Linda (Knebel) Anderson. Troy was a middle child to an older sister, Tammy Winter of Aberdeen and a younger brother Todd Anderson of Sioux Falls, SD. Troy attended Bristol Public School from kindergarten to twelfth grade and graduated in 1985. Troy attended SDSU in Brookings and NSU in Aberdeen.

Troy earned medal honors in cross-country, track, and basketball. He loved playing the drums for band and enjoyed singing. He had dreams of playing the piano and guitar that he didn’t get to fulfill in his lifetime, but he was sincerely proud of his boys for living out his dreams for him. His son Grady is an excellent pianist and trumpet player, and his son Justice is talented at singing and playing the guitar.

Some of his biggest passions included golfing, hunting, watching movies, listening to music especially music from the 80’s, playing sports with his sons, researching politics, studying the Bible, and grilling burgers for his family. He was a patriot and loved talking with friends and others he met about current issues in the country. Troy helped his son Justice practice before his soccer games, watched all of his games, and even coached his soccer team at the Aberdeen City Soccer League tournament in 2017. He also loved softball/baseball, where he would practice batting with his son Grady, and even play on the same team as his son Grady for many years with the First Baptist Church softball team. He loved playing sports at the church, shooting hoops with his sons, playing pool with them, and ping pong, where the three of them would do their own mini tournament, where Grady always came out on top.

Troy farmed with his dad and grandpa from a young boy til his grandpa Arnold died in 2000. Troy met his wife, Gayle (Steele) Anderson in July of 1999. They married in Stickney, SD on July 21, 2001. Troy and Gayle would have celebrated twenty- five years of marriage this summer and twenty-seven years of being together. Troy spoke fondly of his wife, Gayle, and loved her very, very much. Gayle was his best friend. They both grew up on farms and shared a love of the outdoors and animals together. They enjoyed going for walks with their miniature pinscher dogs, Caezar and Marzy, during the first years of marriage. They loved watching movies, going to State Parks, traveling, and just having a good meal together. Troy then started a career with the US Postal Service as a carrier in Madison, SD, where their first son, Justice was born on October 5, 2004. Troy and his wife Gayle moved to Crooks, SD in 2006 where their second son, Grady was born on July 27, 2006. Troy loved being a dad to his sons. Troy could often be seen and heard telling stories about his son’s accomplishments in school, music and sports. Troy loved attending all of his son’s activities. He was excited for his oldest son, Justice, who is attending DSU in Madison, to be married this June to his fiancé, Jamie from Evensville, TN. Troy was proud of both his son’s musical accomplishments. Justice plays guitar, sings and writes/produces his own music under the name JT Seiji, because Troy would often refer to his son Justice as JT and the Seiji is Justice in japanese which was a name Troy gave to his eldest son who is named after the man who saved Troy’s life after a terrible car accident at age 14 where Troy almost lost his life. Grady attends NSU in Aberdeen and is studying music performance. Troy loved listening to Grady play the piano and trumpet and loved hearing his solos/performances at college.

Troy worked as a carrier for the postal service for over twenty years and loved greeting and talking with his many customers on his route. Troy loved people and always took the time to visit with people whenever he had the chance. His big smile, and ability to make people laugh will be missed greatly by his family and friends. Troy loved sharing his knowledge of the Bible, and love of his country with others. Troy grew up in the Lutheran church in Bristol, SD, attending Sunday school, youth group activities, and confirmation. Troy was baptized in 2010 by the late Pastor Harrold Salem of First Baptist Church in Aberdeen, SD. Troy will be sincerely missed by the First Baptist Church for his charisma, kindness, helping set up and take down for various activities, helping keep the gymnasium clean, attending the men’s Bible study, and assisting his wife, Gayle Anderson, in the children's ministry. Despite all of these passions and the many friends and his family (Gayle, Justice, and Grady) that care deeply for him, Troy struggled through difficult times with his birth family. Though his smiles and laughter were rarer in the last months, one felt very special to behold, as his smile could light up a room. Troy tried to help anyone he came across. He would often go out of his way to help anyone in need, even those who did not deserve it.

Troy is so very loved and will be greatly missed by his wife, Gayle, sons Grady & Justice & Justice’s fiancée, Jamie, whom Troy held so, so very dear to his heart.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 - “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”