Virgil V. Anderson, Jr. died on June 19, 2017 at the age of 92.  He was born August 15, 1924 in Thayer, MO to Virgil V. and Pearl (Holladay) Anderson, both deceased.  Virgil graduated from Springfield High School (Central) and Drury University with a degree in economics.  He served two years as student assistant to Dr. L.E. Meador.  After a short stint on the Drury Faculty, Virgil completed his formal education at the University of Missouri School of Law.  A few months later he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, where he served one term before joining the legal department of State Farm Insurance.  In 1953, Virgil and his father organized Anderson and Son, a manufacturer and distributor of truck equipment.  They were soon to be joined by Virgil's life partner, Leslie Gritzmaker.

Virgil's interests were many.  He was a member of the famous Springfield Boy Scouts Band and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra while in high school and college.  While at Drury, he worked as an announcer on station KGBX.  He served several summers as the Director of Boy Scout Camps, and a summer in the forestry service as a firefighter.

Virgil had two great interest, the theatre and the game of bridge.  He seized every opportunity to join the cast of drama productions in high school and college and was an early member of the Springfield Little Theatre, where he appeared in many plays and contributed to the purchase and restoration of the Landers Theatre.  In 1990, the Springfield Regional Arts Council presented him The Ozzie Award for contribution to the Arts.

Virgil was an avid bridge player, as a member of the American Contract Bridge League he was active both as a player and administrator.  He won a National Championship in 1993 and reached the rank of Emerald Life Master.  He was elected National President of the ACBL.  In his seventies, Virgil was elected to the Executive Council of the World Bridge Federation, resulting in travel to tournaments and meetings all over the world, while in China, the Vice-Premier invited him to the Great Hall in Beijing for a private game.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved cousin, Betty Hutchens King.

Virgil is survived by his friend and life companion, Leslie Gritzmaker of Springfield; cousins Marjorie Collins of Springfield, and Mary Lyon of Atlanta, Georgia, and their families.  He is also survived by Betty King's daughters and their husbands, Tedda King and Phil Henley of Juno Beach, FL and Becky and Jim Kelly of Springfield, MO; along with cousins, Jeff Hutchens and Ted Hutchens of Springfield, MO, and Martha Carlson and husband Don.

A visitation will be held Monday, June 26, 2017 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Springfield Little Theatre, or the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools.