Robert Leland Anthony

Robert Leland Anthony, 89 of Klamath Falls, passed away surrounded by loved ones on May 30, 2019.

“Lee” (his preferred name), was born July 27, 1929, to Charles Matthew Anthony and Suzanna May Keller. 

As in most lives, there were difficult times. For Lee, these began at the tender age of twelve when his father passed away from cancer. This tragedy left Lee as the eldest child at home to care for his mother and younger brother. Undaunted, he readily took on this responsibility, leaving school just after finishing 8th grade. Lee then enlisted in the army on March 28, 1951, to serve our country in the Korean War where he was wounded in battle, earning a Purple Heart for his service.

After his military service ended, Lee moved to the Malin-Merrill area of Oregon where he worked at several jobs in the farming community until he had saved enough to purchase the local gas station. Shortly thereafter, he met his wife, Louise, at the local Merrill cafe and after a brief courtship they were married on December 25, 1956. It wasn't long before they began their family and then moved to Klamath Falls in 1961.

Lee was an entrepreneur throughout his life. After moving his family to Klamath Falls, he purchased the Richfield service station on Hwy 97 which he eventually sold for before founding and operating a construction business in Redding, California. Longing for the more agreeable climate of the Klamath Basin, Lee returned to Klamath Falls in 1979 to purchase the then defunct Klamath Radiator property, reopening the radiator shop under the name Lee’s Radiator. Lee reinvigorated the business, eventually building a full-service automotive shop that is thriving to this day. Lee owned this business until he sold it and retired in 1997. In retirement, Lee loved to golf, travel in the family motorhome, take cruises with friends, spend time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and volunteer for organizations like Habitat for Humanity. He also loved his church family at Bible Baptist Church, where he served in many areas.

Lee dedicated his life to serving his family, community, and country. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Louise; children & their spouses Rhonda and Dean Guyer, Rob and Lorie Anthony, Susan and Ken Pedersen, and Jason Anthony; 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Violet Wineries, Lois Northrop; and brother, Harold Anthony.

A celebration of Lee's life will be held at New Horizon Christian Fellowship on Saturday, June 8, 2019, at 2:00 PM

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Healing Waters International.  To make a donation please go to https://hwi.kindful.com