Michael Terry Anderson

Michael Terry Anderson was born on January 28, 1954, in Gadsden, Alabama, to Clarence and Loretta Anderson. Mike passed away on March 16, 2024, at Teton Healthcare of Cascadia, Idaho Falls, Idaho. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Molly Anderson; a sister, Patricia Pugh (Dewayne); a brother, Jackie Anderson; a special niece, Kim Taylor (Chris); two special nephews, Jeremy (Amy) and Jeffrey Anderson; three great nieces and one great nephew.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Loretta Anderson, and his sister-in-law, Barbara Anderson.

Mike graduated from Lee High School, Huntsville, Alabama, in 1972 where he was student body president, and won the Hertz Rental Car Award for most outstanding student. His teachers would tell his parents that he didn’t come to class all the time, but still made A’s! Mike was well liked by both his fellow students and his teachers.

Mike received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Non-destructive Testing from Athens State College in Alabama in May 1980. During his career at the Idaho National Laboratory, he earned a Master of Science Degree in Metallurgy from the University of Idaho in May 1999. Mike then worked for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) doing work for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission until he retired in 2019. During his career at PNNL, Mike was awarded Fellow of American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) in 2005 and then again in 2017. A Fellow of ASNT is an individual member of the Society who is of outstanding professional distinction and who has made continued significant contributions to the advancement of Nondestructive Engineering/Nondestructive Testing (NDE/NDT). Within the NDT field, Mike specialized in the safety and reliability of nuclear reactors to prevent catastrophic failures.

Mike was an avid golfer and a great athlete.  When he attended Auburn University in Alabama, he had such a great golf game that he was invited to try out for their golf team. Mike loved to play golf with his dad, brother, Jack, and nephews, Jeremy and Chris, when he could, but none of them could recall beating him. Mike and Molly were members at the Idaho Falls Country Club where he played in many of the tournaments, one of his favorites being the annual Member Guest. In addition, it was at the Idaho Falls Country Club where he enjoyed earning his first hole-in-one. He loved to play golf no matter what golf course!

A Gathering for friends and family will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, March 22, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road.

A memorial service will be held in Huntsville, Alabama, on March 30, 2024.