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He
was a member of the Guntersville Church of Christ.
He
was a 2001 graduate of the Alabama Agriculture and Forestry Leadership
Development Program, known as LEADERS. This two-year program is aimed at
helping Alabama farmers, landowners and others improve their leadership
skills and gain a better understanding of the political process. Auburn
University’s Dr. Dennis Evans, Professor & Director of AL Ag &
Forestry LEADERS Program, was really impressed by David. "He was
one of my favorites to go through the class. He epitomized what you look
for in a leader: his independence, his Christian faith and the
impression I got that he wasn’t just out to help himself…he was
concerned with everyone involved in agriculture. He had a young person’s
enthusiasm about life and learning, always asking questions. He had such
pride in being a farmer. He was a special person and this is a terrible
loss. The ag family of Alabama is deeply saddened."
Marshall
County Farmers Federation Board Member and poultry producer Dan Smalley
remarked that he and all the board members were shocked by the tragedy.
"David was fine leader and one who led by consensus. He came up
through the young farmers program and I saw him develop into a fine
leader." Smalley said Anderson was active in local, state and
national politics when it came to farming, adding that he had lobbied at
all levels on issues important to agriculture. "You always knew
where David stood on an issue, but he was always willing to listen to
another point of view," Smalley said. "He was the type of
leader we love and need in agriculture. We are really going to miss him
as a leader and as a friend."
The
vice-president of Marshall County Co-op’s board, Larry King, stated
that David was an asset to the local farmer’s federation, the local
Co-op and did an excellent job on the state (AFC) board. "He was a
good farmer, a good person and a good friend. He comes from a whole
family of outstanding people. I hate that this happened. I really
thought a lot of David and we’ll all miss him."
AFC’s
President and CEO, Tommy Paulk said, "David Anderson was a
leader. He loved this company and took very seriously his
responsibilities to the 37,000 members who own it. David had a
strong sense of right and wrong and he had the courage to always stand
up and speak out for what he thought was right. We could ask no
more of any farmer member, any director or indeed, any leader. We
will miss him greatly."
Anderson
was preceded in death by his parents John and Fern Anderson. He is
survived by three brothers: Martin (Kathryn) Anderson and Von (Carol)
Anderson, both of Guntersville; Ralph (Linda) Anderson of Murfreesboro
and two sisters: Wanda (Bob) Stricklin of Florence and Patricia Anderson
of Pelham.
Funeral
Services were held at Grant Memorial Chapel with internment at New
Prospect Cemetery.
In
lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the
Multiple Sclerosis Society at 3840 Ridgeway Drive, Birmingham, AL,
35209. |
