DR. LEON ANDERSON

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. thursday, May 4, 2000, at Jenks First Baptist Church, 205 E. A. for longtime Jenks doctor Leon Anderson.

Dr. Leon Anderson, who had worked as a doctor for 43 years in Jenks, died Monday, May 1, 2000, at his Mounds home.

At 81, the osteopathic doctor had worked full time until two days before he was diagnosed with lymphoma March 25, 2000, his widow Sibyl said.

She believes he was one of the oldest practicing osteopathic doctors at that time.

"He loved his patients so much," Dr. Sibyl Anderson said.

"Over the years he's been a mainstay in Jenks," said Helen McCullough.

"He was a man of few words, but meaningful words," another said.

"And he loved Jenks. The town of Jenks is going to miss him," said life-long Jenks resident Betty Hayes.

"He was an icon in the community and certainly will be missed," Jenks Mayor Mike Tinker said. "He always had a simle and a brisk pace and made you feel like whatever was going on, it was a good day. The Jenks community will certainly miss him."

"He was a pillar of the community," said retired Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Connie Neal.

He opened an alternative medicine clinic -- the first in the greater Tulsa area -- in October 1999 with Dr. Gerald Wootan, joining a movement across the nation for alternative medicine. The Jenks Health Team clinic at 715 W. Main combined mainstream medicine and alternative practices.

Dr. Anderson was well-known for implementing nutrition, specializing in manipulation, and using chelation therapy.

The Andersons had moved from their 2 1/2 story white pillared home that was "probably the oldest house in town" at 123 S. 2nd St. to a home with 22 acres near Mounds about three years ago, where Dr. Leon Anderson enjoyed brush hogging and mowing.

He had donated his body for research at what used to be the Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Surgery in Missouri, Dr. Sibyl Anderson said.

Dr. Leon Anderson was the first president of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce, she believes.

He also had been an officer in the Jenks Lions Club, had worked with the Jenks City Council and had been president of the Tulsa District Osteopathic Medical Association.

He was a founding member and on the board of the International Oxidative Medicine Association.

He had received numerous honors during his lifetime. He was a member of the boards of: International Academy of Preventive Medicine, the American College of Advancement in Medicine, the American Osteopathic Association, the Cranial Academy, the American Academy of Osteopathy, the National Federation of Independent Business, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, the American Board of Chelation Therapy, and the American Academy of Medical Preventix.

After Sibyl Anderson opened her osteopathic practice in October 1956 in Jenks, she was joined by Dr. Leon Anderson in 1957. The two worked in their clinic which was right next door to their home.

In the early 1940s Dr. Leon Anderson had been a meteorologist in the Air Force and had been stationed in London, England; Edenbourg, Scotland; and France.

He married Sibyl Aliece Wesson Oct. 11, 1945, in Norman. After serving active duty he remained in the Air Force Reserves until 1978 when he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

After being healed by a doctor of osteopathy, Dr. Leon Anderson became interested in studying osteopathy because he had suffered with a medical problem that had not been healed while in the Air Force, his daughter said.

He graduated from the College of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Mo., with high honors in 1955, completed his internship and started his practice in Tulsa before joining his wife Sibyl in Jenks and helping establish the Anderson Clinic.

Dr. Leon Anderson was a deacon in the First Baptist Church of Jenks since 1960. He sang in the choir since he was 15 and was part of the First Baptist Christmas music program in December 1999.

"He had so much fun doing that," Sibyl said.

He also worked with the children's choirs at church. The Lord was his life, and he was dedicated to praying for and helping every person who came in the doors of his clinic, his daughter said.

"He could fix anything," his children said.

Dr. Anderson's hobbies included computers, cameras, flying and carpentry.

"If you saw he didn't have something, please don't tell him, because he'd go get it," laughed Sibyl Anderson.

Dr. Anderson had a dedicated staff, to whom he is grateful for their faithful service, a relative said.