Ray Cox Anderson

Major Ray Cox Anderson Ret. USA passed away on August 21st, 2022, in Durham, North Carolina, at the age of 74. He was born January 2nd, 1948, in Bonham, Texas, to Thomas Emerson Anderson and Mittie Madeline Cox Anderson. Ray was an Eagle Scout with Troop 605 in Denison, Texas, and played football at Denison High School, where he graduated in 1965. After graduating from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, in 1970, Ray was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, serving in the field artillery. His distinguished 20-year career included assignments with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Howitzer Battery Executive Officer) and the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) (Battalion Operations Officer) in Germany as well as with the 2nd Armored Division (Field Artillery Battery Commander) at Fort Hood, Texas. Ray taught military science at South Dakota State University, as well as attending and instructing at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, before serving as an Analyst and Executive Officer of the Center for Army Lessons Learned at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was an honors graduate of many Army schools and received the Meritorious Service Medal (One Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal, as well as the National Defense Service Medal.

After retiring from the Army in 1990 as a Major, Ray and his family moved to Durham, North Carolina, where he was an army engineering handbook editor at RTI. He then honored his family roots with a third career teaching at Riverside High School in Durham before retiring. He remained active in Scouting, founding both Cub Scout Pack 405 and Boy Scout Troop 405 at St. Mathew Catholic Church, as well as receiving the Silver Beaver Award, Scouting’s highest honor, in 2003. Ray was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Pope John Paul II council #13812 in Durham, serving as Deputy and Grand Knight, and becoming a member of the 4th Degree Order in 2009. At his passing he was a member of the William F. O’Brien Assembly #3365 in Durham and had served as a lector and usher at St. Matthew for many years. Ray loyally followed West Point football and refereed soccer after his son developed an interest in the sport. In his spare time, he enjoyed history, family genealogy, and politics.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Sheila Bohn. He is survived by his older brother, Dr. Thomas Anderson, Jr. of Austin, Texas; son Nathan Anderson of Somerville, Massachusetts; daughter Laura Lowery and husband Robert of Durham, North Carolina; and was happy to spend time with his grandson Aedan Joseph Lowery.

Ray’s life will be honored with a Catholic mass on Saturday, August 27th at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Durham. The Rite of Committal will follow in St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery, with a reception in the parish hall. Family will receive friends during visitation at Hall-Wynne funeral home in Durham from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 26th.

The Anderson family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, where flowers may be sent. Online condolences: http://www.hallwynne.com/ – select obituaries.

Go Army. Beat Navy.