Gordon Nelson Anderson

Gordon Nelson Anderson, age 85, of Bel Air, MD, died on March 18, 2010. Born in Moose Lake, MN, he was the son of Claude and Clara Anderson. Upon graduating high school in 1942, Gordy took a bus to Fargo, ND to join the Carl Coby Orchestra as a trumpet player. He toured the Midwest playing one-nighters at ballrooms, and eventually joined the Lynn Kerns Orchestra where he stayed until inducted into the U.S. Army in June of 1943. Prior to this, he had played trumpet professionally every night since leaving home except Christmas night, 1942.

Originally assigned to Combat Engineers, Gordy took his trumpet and entertained people whenever he could. Doing so likely saved his life, as a commanding officer arranged for his transfer to U.S. Army Air Force Special Services as a #442 Entertainment Specialist. He traveled through the Panama Canal to Bombay, India. While waiting to be deployed to the jungle Provence of Assam, Gordon and six other musicians played the magnificent Taj Majal. Once in Assam, Gordy had a standoff with a King Cobra and a rhinoceros, as well as close encounters with poisonous krait snakes, vampire bats, and malaria. He entertained the wounded soldiers, and was also tapped to play the ballroom of the Karnani Estates in downtown Calcutta.

Gordy returned to the States and the Lynn Kerns Orchestra. As times changed, the ballrooms closed, so Gordy became a salesman. He married Lorraine Traeger in Mankato, MN and was later promoted to National Sales Training Manager of Black and Decker. They moved from Minneapolis to Dulaney Valley in 1966.

Gordy enjoyed his career and after a two-year transfer to Los Angeles, CA, he was able to retire early and travel with his wife. After she passed away, Gordy joined the Bel Air Community Band, and also participated in a number of smaller bands in entertaining at local nursing homes. He played in the band at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Bel Air. He loved to travel by car throughout the United States to sightsee, and enjoyed playing cards with his friends.

Mr. Anderson is survived by two daughters and son-in-laws, Vicki and Philip Minderlein, and Susan and Paul Misey. He has five grandsons: Scott Christopher Magness, Matthew David Magness, John Gordon Misey, Kristopher Erik Misey, and Jakob Paul Misey. In addition to his parents and wife Lorraine, he was predeceased by his sister, Lois Rainerson.

Pallbearers were Scott Magness, Matthew Magness, John Misey, Mike Foster, John Anker, Douglas Westberry, Kristopher Misey and Jakob Misey.