Michael John Anderson

Michael John Anderson was born on November 2, 1968, in Fresno, California, and died on December 31, 2024, in Ridgecrest at the age of 56.

He leaves behind his son, Nicholas Gregory Anderson, 25, of Ridgecrest; his mother Carol A. Anderson; his father and stepmother John E. and Janice Anderson; his brother Gregory C. Anderson; his sisters Alicia D. Neighbarger, Angela D. Anderson, Saundra N. Anderson, and Lynn R. Wade; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind a beloved chihuahua  who will now be raised by Nicholas.

Just weeks old, Michael and his twin brother were adopted by his parents, who then lived in civilian housing at the China Lake Navel Weapons Center. Michael attended Burroughs High School, earned his GED and received his associate's degree from Cero Coso Community College. He worked as a mason in construction for about 14 years – locally and in the states of Washington and Idaho. He volunteered at Las Flores elementary school, and as a softball/baseball umpire for the Ridgecrest community. Some of his favorite pastimes were fishing, nature walks and motorcycle riding in the desert.

Nicholas' cherished memories of his father include taking walks out in the desert, playing arcade games at the bowling alley, staying up all night to play board games, and always wanting to be there for his son. One magical memory of Nick's time with his father was when the two went camping in Sand Canyon and were catching crawfish in a creek. Michael told Nick, who loved dragon flies, that he could touch one. "No way," Nick said. But his dad dipped his hand in the creek and pulled it out holding his hand steady for a minute, and sure enough a dragon fly landed on his index finger.

Michael will be missed by his large family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on January 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Ridgecrest, California.