Madison USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame member Jerry Anderson has passed away. He was 75.
Jerry was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1938 and moved to Madison in 1957 after serving in the Air Force. He retired in 1996 after 32 years in various positions in fire service, concluding with 16 years as coordinator of the fire and police arson squad.
His career on the lanes began in 1961 at Bowl-A-Vard Lanes. He was a standout performer in a variety of leagues over the next 53 seasons. At one point he competed in as many as five leagues per week. He earned two MBA tournament titles in the team event and had four career 300 games. Despite nagging knee problems, Jerry continued to bowl, posting averages in the 180’s over the last several seasons.
Jerry would visit the bowling office from time to time and share stories of how hard he had to work to develop his top-level game. He remarked about the hundreds of games he practiced – many just shooting at spares – just so he could elevate his skills to join bowling’s major league. His dedication and hard work paid off with his 2004 Hall of Fame induction in the Veterans category.
Off the lanes, Jerry was a standout servant to the game and the community. He could always be counted on to serve on various Hall of Fame committees through the years. He, along with his wife Mary and son John, have been instrumental in the success of our annual Bowl for the Cure bowling event.
On behalf of bowling, and our association members, we offer our condolences to the Anderson family and to the many, many friends that made up the Jerry Anderson bowling family.