Lifetime Abingdon Fire Company Member Leaves Legacy of Love, Humor

Even on his death bed, Jerry Anderson wanted to do something for someone else.

The lifetime member of the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Company passed away Monday—just one day before his 25th wedding anniversary.

"In the hospital a few days ago he said, 'What am I going to get Kelly for our anniversary?'" Patti Abbott, Anderson's cousin, told Patch Tuesday. "He was dying, and he knew it, and he was still really wanting to do something for somebody else."

According to family and friends, that's just the kind of guy Jarrett "Jerry" Anderson Jr. was.

"He was humorous, fun loving, and he'd stop in the middle of what he’s doing to help someone. I’m not just saying this about him because I’m his sister. Everybody says the same thing." Susan Langbeen said.

Abbott agreed.

“He couldn’t do enough for people, and you know that’s easily said, but Jerry took that to a new level," Abbott said.

Abbott described her cousin as "hilariously funny," and said anyone who spent time with him probably has a funny picture of him. One such photo—taken after a "Race for the Cure" rally held in May in his honor— featured a fully clothed Anderson standing in a restaurant holding a piece of lettuce as though it were a fig leaf.

“At this rally he knew he was sick, but he wanted everybody to have a good time," Abbott said.

She said he looked out over the crowd in Darlington that day and told her, "I can’t believe all these people care about me, I never want this to end."

Anderson's family has lived in Harford County since the 1680's and is "Harford County through and through," Abbott said.

In addition to spending much of his life volunteering with the Abingdon fire company, Anderson also served the county by working as a dispatcher with Harford County Emergency Operations and through involvement with his church.

“To this day Jerry would still be the dispatcher I would want behind that radio or phone if I needed help. He was darn good at what he did. Jerry was one the strongest supervisors I have ever had. He was never afraid to make that split second decision and stick to it and would stand up for his people like no other I have worked with. He had the respect of everyone he knew, in the field and in the center. That's a leader," Rich Gardiner, spokesman for Harford County Fire and EMS Association, said.

Most recently in his professional life, Anderson ran Shoreline Graphics in Aberdeen.

"He’s done so much for so many people, even with his business," Langbeen said.

She said he has probably done decals for most of the local fire companies and police departments and would often get requests for a product and start right away, no advance payment required.

"There’s times he’s waiting months [for payment], but he understands," Langbeen said.

Anderson, age 56 and an Aberdeen resident, leaves behind his wife Kelly and their three daughters, ages 23, 20 and 14, in addition to many other loving family members and friends.

“He had a heart the size of Maryland and was just a wonderful man, a wonderful citizen, a wonderful son, a great cousin and a wonderful dad and husband," Abbott said.

For those who wish to pay their respects to Anderson, visitation will take place from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, July 11 at McComas Funeral Home, located at 1317 Cokesbury Road in Abingdon.

Additional visitation will take place Friday from 10- 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 1100 Philadelphia Road in Joppa with a funeral service to follow.