Gospel Advocate president Kerry Anderson dies at age 52

Kerry Anderson (Photo provided by Gospel Advocate)

Gospel Advocate reports:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Kerry Glen Anderson, 52, president of the Gospel Advocate Company, died Aug. 13, 2013. Anderson had been president of the company since Sept. 25, 1997.
Anderson was a 1981 graduate of Lipscomb University and had a master’s degree in policy development from Vanderbilt University. Before joining the Gospel Advocate, he worked for AT&T and  First American National Bank. He attended the Crieve Hall Church of Christ.
Founded in 1855, the Gospel Advocate is the oldest publisher serving the churches of Christ through magazines, Bible class curriculum, books and other resources. Past leaders of the Gospel Advocate include  David Lipscomb, B.C. Goodpasture, Ira North, and J.C. and David McQuiddy.
The Anderson family purchased the company from McQuiddy Printing in 1990 with the goal of continuing to contribute to the education of Christians and helping them to build a strong heritage of faith  in their children. Neil W. Anderson, publisher and owner of the Gospel Advocate, was president of the  company from 1981 to 1997.
At the time of his appointment, Kerry Anderson said, “The Gospel Advocate Company has a great heritage. It has always been operated by members of the church of Christ and family owned. I am proud of  our heritage, and I look forward to building on that foundation as we teach each generation the Good News  of Jesus. I pledge our continued commitment to serving the church of Christ with biblically sound books,  magazines, curriculum and supplies.”
While Anderson was president, the Gospel Advocate moved from traditional printing methods to desktop publishing. He successfully implemented a new inventory management and web ordering system  and helped develop the GA Bible Study Library on CD. The latest improvement under his guidance had  been the conversion of the GA’s library of books into e-books.
Anderson is survived by his son, Matthew Anderson; his parents, Neil and Glenda Anderson; his sister and brother-in-law, Neila and Nelson Whitfield; and two nephews, Connor and Clayton Whitfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Crieve Hall Church of Christ Youth Group, 4806 Trousdale Dr., Nashville, TN 37220.

• Feedback
  I am so very sorry for the loss of this great Christian. May God be with his family.

  Dot Saunders

  August, 15 2013

  Dear Neil, Glenda, Neila and family, WE are so so sorry and sad. We are crying for your loss. He was a great son and too young to go. We want to give a gift to the Baird Memorial College in Cameroon, West Africa in his memory and your mom and dad’s memory. We love you all and thank God for all you’ve done to “hold the line” and Kerry was doing such a good job at that, also.! We pray that God will be with you each step of the way.
  We’ll be in touch. Windle and Barbara Kee.

  Windle and Barbara Kee

  August, 15 2013

  I am sorry to hear about Kerry’s passing. I graduated in the same class with him in high school. I never knew he was a believer in high school, but I always knew he was one of the nicest, most decent guys in our class. Friendly, never had a bad word about anyone. I later became a christian and remembered his example. Peace be with you at this time of your loss. He is with our Lord.
  In love of our Lord.

  Dinah Hale

  August, 15 2013

  Mr. Neil and family, words are inadequate to express how I feel about our great loss. Kerry was a one in a million and a wonderful valuable friend. The same can be said of the way Ive always felt about you. I’m thinking of you and praying for you. Jackie White

  Jackie White

  August, 15 2013

  Praying for your comfort and strength. May God grant you both.

  Sara Foster

  August, 15 2013

  Sadden to hear of this loss. Prayers for his family and his church family and well as those of us as subscribers. We are thankful for his guidance and love of God in this publication. God bless you all during this time of grief.

  Diane Threat

  August, 15 2013

  So saddened to receive this news. Our prayers are with the Anderson family.

  Judy Miller

  August, 15 2013

  Dear Neil and family, so sorry! You are loved and held in prayer by your many friends in Memphis. In the love of Jesus, jimmy

  Jimmy. Moffett

  August, 16 2013

  I am so sorry for your loss. Kerry was a wonderful person. I knew Kerry from high school in Brentwood, Missouri, where he grew up. We graduated in the same small class of 1978 and were in contact with Kerry to join us for our 35th anniversary party to be held at our house. He will be greatly missed.

  Richard Emery

  August, 16 2013

  Our loss is heaven’s gain! May God grant the family peace in this time of grief. —JLPappas

  Joshua Pappas

  August, 16 2013

  My deepest sympathies to Neil, Glenda and all the family. This is a tragic loss to you and to all who knew him. As God calls His children home we rejoice for him and we pray for his comfort for you.

  Mary Brown

  August, 16 2013

  Dear Neil and Glenda: We were so sadden to hear of the loss of Kerry. Our prayers are with you and the rest of the family. I have always appreciated the work that you have done with the Gospel Advocate and for the Lord’s kingdom. May God be a constant source of strength for you at this time.

  David and Pat McElwain

  August, 16 2013

  Dear Anderson family,
  I feel so sorry for your loss. I remember Kerry from my youth group in St Louis. We are the same age but he was a year ahead of me in school. Our families were so close until we moved to AZ and you moved to TN. I always wondered how the family was. So proud to read of Kerry’s accomplishments. He will be greatly missed. We will look forward to seeing him some day in heaven. He has probably already got a singing group started up in heaven.:) I know he used to love to sing in high school and continued through out his adult hood.
  In everything give God the glory because he knows each of out stories. He knows what is best even if we don’t like it. I’ll be praying for all of the family for comfort.
  Sincerely,
  Connie Allyn Davison

  Connie Davison

  August, 16 2013

  I knew Kerry from college and have very fond memories of him from political science classes and our mutual involvement in the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

  Randy Foster

  August, 16 2013

  Dear Mr. and Mrs. Anderson and Neila,
  I just learned of Kerry’s passing today. I am so sorry for your loss. Lifting your famiy up in prayer.
  Sincerely and with a heavy heart,
  Missy Myers Bunch
  GA former employee

  Melissa Bunch

  August, 18 2013

  I have deeply appreciated the Gospel Advocate and the Andersons’ publication of and defense of the truth as contained in God’s word. I did not know Kerry but he is the age of my children, so I can only imagine the deep grief and sense of loss that his family is experiencing. Yes, as Christians we know that a perfect world awaits us after death, but parents never expect to be burying their children. There must be the sense of “unfinished work and a shortened time with loved ones” in their hearts. God knows our pain and it is to Him that we turn for strength to endure such unexpected losses.

  Betty (Mrs. J.C.) Choate

  August, 20 2013

  So sorry for your loss, said a prayer for the family.

  Don Neyland

  August, 22 2013

  The Memorial Drive church in Tulsa grieves your loss and celebrates your faith. Heartfelt sympathy and our love.

  Terry Rush

  August, 22 2013

  Neil, Glenda, and family, we are praying that the heaviness and sorrow weighing on your hearts may be lightened as it is shared with friends and family in Christ. We are so saddened by Kerry’s passing. I remember him well from college days at Lipscomb–always pleasant, always smiling, always encouraging. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”

  Alan Henderson

  August, 22 2013

  My heart goes out to the family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We knew the Andersons from our time at West End in the 90’s. Matthew and our son Ozioma spent much time together whenever we were in Nashville on furlough especially in 2003. Kerry was always so encouraging and a loving father and husband. Our thoughts are with Matthew, Neil and Glenda.

  Annette Whittaker

  August, 23 2013

  Neil and family,
  I just read of Kerry’s passing in the Christian Chronicle web news. Marty and I extend our sympathies for this great loss. Although our paths have not crossed for several years now, I recall with great satisfaction your kindness, good will, and genuinely Christian attitude when we were doing projects together. Kerry was also this kind of person.
  Mac and Marty Lynn

  Mac Lynn

  August, 23 2013

  Dear Neil and family,
  We sorrow with you but rejoice in the assurance that Kerry is that better place made possible by our Lord Jesus Christ.
  Gordon & Jane Hogan

  Gordon Hogan

  August, 23 2013

  Neil and Glenda,
  Ken and I just read about your son. Our love and prayers are with you. We have thought about you often and have good memories of when you and Ken worked together. Our heart aches for you. We pray for peace and comfort.
  Linda Bradford

  Linda Bradford

  August, 24 2013

  Neil, so sorry to hear of your families loss. I had not seen Kerry in years but remember him as a fine Christian young man. I have always been grateful to you for your influence in my life. I know you and Glenda were great influences on Kerry’s life. Thank you for all your friendship. You and Glenda and the whole family are in my prayers. Ken Bradford

  Ken Bradford

  August, 24 2013

  Dear Neil and Family: Our prayers are with you in the loss of your beloved son, Kerry. May God loving arms embrace and comfort you in these painful times. Our prayers are with you.
  John Waddey

  John Waddey

  August, 26 2013