Col. Ben Lamar Anderson, Jr.

Col. Ben L. Anderson, Jr., U.S. Army, Retired, 82, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away early Thursday morning, June 12, 2025, at Bartlesville Assisted Living.

Ben Lamar Anderson, Jr., was born April 2, 1943, in Bisbee, AZ to Ben, Sr. and Mary Jane (Newell) Anderson. Ben was raised Catholic and attended Jesuit School. As the son of a military man himself, Ben lived many places while growing up, including Germany, where he graduated high school. West Point would not accept his transcript, so he attended and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Ben also attained two master’s Degrees, including one from Georgetown University in Germanic Linguistics and he wound up teaching at West Point Military Academy. Colonel Anderson proudly represented his country as a member of the United States Army, serving in the Vietnam conflict. He was stationed in several locations, including Germany, state-side in Virginia and his last station at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. The former Army Ranger retired after more than 28 years of honorable service. Colonel Anderson moved to Bartlesville just ten months ago and was a resident of Bartlesville Assisted Living.

Ben was highly educated and loved learning. He was passionate about his politics and loved horses, especially the Arabian breed. Colonel Anderson had his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. He once owned a buffalo named “Snuggles”.

Survivors include four children, Ben Anderson and his wife, Teresa of Denver, Colorado, Mary Anderson Duarte and her husband, Marcello of Del Mar, California, Chris Anderson and his wife, Katie of Bartlesville and Heather Anderson Willingham and her husband, Mitchell of Gainesville, Texas; two sisters also survive, as well as ten grandchildren.

Services have been entrusted locally to Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. Colonel Anderson will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, on November 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM. To send an online condolence, visit www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com.