Charles Anderson

Born in Plant, Tennessee on November 8, 1934

Departed on January 27, 2021 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

Charles Murray Anderson was born in Plant, TN on November 8, 1934 to Charles Wesley and Thelma Anderson.

He graduated in 1952 from Cohn High School and then immediately entered the Navy where he was stationed in Hawaii until 1955. He earned his undergraduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University followed by earning two graduate degrees from George Peabody College.

He was a high school coach in Nashville for 40 years, coaching at Central High School, Stratford High School, Bellevue High School, Hillsboro High School, Nashville Christian School, and Martin Luther King Magnet High School. While his most notable success came in men's basketball, he also had noteworthy accomplishments as a coach in football, tennis, baseball, girls' basketball, and softball.

In 1981, he became head basketball coach and athletic director at Aquinas College and in his 20 years there, he took 3 teams to the National Junior College Tournament, winning the National Junior College Championship in 1991, the first time in history for a basketball team from Tennessee. In 1991, he was chosen as the JUCO National Coach of the Year and in 1992, he was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the National Junior College Basketball Association Hall of Fame. His commitment to building character in athletes led to his 1993 nomination for the Nashville Sports Council Lifetime Achievement Award.

He was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. In addition to his love of coaching he was an avid golfer and fisherman. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. The children knew he loved to dance and had him up and dancing every opportunity they could. Many of his former basketball players kept in touch through the years as they shared memories on the golf course. His circle of friends was vast as he could hardly go anywhere without someone knowing him and sharing good times that they had had together.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Beverly Steele Anderson, his son Chuck (Sherry) Anderson, 2 grandsons,
Jarrett Anderson and Caden (Rachel) Anderson, 4 great grandchildren, Aubrey, Charlie (Marti Anderson mother), Beckett and Eva Anderson.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 6, at 12:00 Noon, at Brentwood Baptist Church on Concord Road.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.