Gary L. Anderson, 79, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Friday, December 20, 2019, at Atlantic Specialty Care.
 
 
 He was born on January 4, 1940, in Exira, Iowa, the son of Ivro E. and Elsie Mae (Saltmarsh) Anderson.  Gary attended school in Elk Horn and Walnut, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Judy Christensen, December 18, 1957, and they had four sons.
 
 
 Gary was a hunter and trapper from an early age.  He raised every animal there was including Buffalo and Elk, and for many years went Elk hunting in Colorado with family and friends.  His greatest adventure was Caribou hunting at Yellow Knife, Alaska.  He was known as The Cat Man to his good friends as they enjoyed their snowmobiling treks; and him on his Arctic cat.  He worked for Harvestore Silos most of his working years and also built steel buildings and laid concrete.
 
 
 The last year and a half he resided at the Atlantic Specialty Care.  He never ever complained about having to leave his home to live there, just dealt with what life had given him.
 
 
 Gary is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, Rick (Sharon) of Brayton, Iowa, Jeff (Carol) of Atlantic, Iowa, Mike (Kim) of Atlantic, Iowa, and Todd (Kim) of Mint Hill, North Carolina; ten grandchildren, Shelly, Amber, Brooke, Shannon, Whitney, Rachel, Ally, Ashley, Andrew and Alexandra; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Denney (Janiece) of Visalia, California; sisters, Kathy (Chuck) Ardnt of Des Moines and Cynthia Zinke of Waukee, Iowa, brother-in-law, Darwin (Sarah) of Poway, California; and many nieces and nephews.
 
 
 He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivro and Elsie Anderson; parents-in-law, Ed and Ethel Christensen; an infant brother, Eldon Ray; and uncle, Mort Saltmarsh.
 
 
 A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Friday, January 3, 2020, at The Venue in Atlantic, with a meal to follow.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, also at The Venue.
 
 
 Roland Funeral Service is caring for Gary’s family and his arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.
 
 
 
 IN REMEMBRANCE OF
 
 
 Gary Anderson
 
 
 BORN
 
 January 4, 1940 - Exira, Iowa
 
 
 DIED
 
 December 20, 2019 - Atlantic, Iowa
 
 
 At the age of 79 years, 11 months and 16 days
 
 
 CELEBRATION OF LIFE MEMORIAL SERVICE
 
 6:00 p.m., Friday, January 3, 2020
 
 The Venue, 307 Walnut Street, Atlantic, Iowa
 
 
 OFFICIANT
 
 Reverend Steven Frock
 
 Pastor of Exira and Brayton Lutheran Churches
 
 
 RECORDED MUSICAL SELECTIONS
 
 “The Old Rugged Cross” by Elvis Presley
 
 “Granddaddy’s Gun” by Aaron Lewis
 
 “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” by Riley Green
 
 “I’ll Go to My Grave Loving You” by The Statler Brothers
 
 
 HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
 
 Darrell Hayes
 
 Dwaine Landon
 
 Lucas Howery
 
 Denney Anderson
 
 Darwin Christensen
 
 
 
 Please stay and join the family for a meal following the service.