Ricci Charles Anderson, an incredible human being who brought immeasurable love, strength, and joy to his family and all who knew him, passed away on October 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. A man of deep faith, Ricci was a member of The Temple church, where he nurtured his spiritual walk. He always lived by a quiet, unwavering moral compass, being endlessly generous, deeply principled, and always seeming to have the right words when someone needed to hear them to help guide and support them. Above all, he always strove to do the right thing.
Born on February 18, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri, Ricci's early years included a unique chapter living abroad while his father served as a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army, stationing the family in Germany where Ricci attended elementary school. Returning to the United States in 1966, the family briefly lived in Ferguson, Missouri, where Ricci attended Vogt Elementary, before settling in Florissant in 1967. There, he attended Florissant Junior High, McCluer High School, and McCluer North. Growing up, Ricci filled his days with the classic joys of youth: playing baseball and fishing, collecting and trading baseball cards, and riding bikes until the streetlights came on. A diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan since childhood, Ricci and his grandfather used to listen to the Cardinals on the radio while eating peanut butter out of the jar with their fingers in the backyard. Alongside these memories were fond weekend barbecues and spending time with his many cousins.
Ricci began his working journey in a coffee factory before discovering his true calling on the water. What started on the deck as a deckhand on a tugboat blossomed into a lifelong maritime legacy. While working on the tugboat, he traveled back and forth to Missouri visiting family, and that is when he met Patricia Torres. They married in 1978, and later welcomed their daughter Tracy in 1979, followed a few years later by their son Ryan. Through hard work and dedication, Ricci earned his captain's license in 1980, stepping up as Captain. In 1994, he achieved his ultimate professional aspiration by becoming a Sabine Pilot, dedicating 30 distinguished years to navigating the waters before retiring.
Outside of his career, Ricci found profound joy in the simple and soulful pleasures of life. He enjoyed traveling and going to concerts, especially at small venues. He held a particular fondness for Wildwood Springs Lodge in Steelville, Missouri, and enjoyed listening to bands like America and Poco, and was even hoping to see Mike Zito perform there soon. He also cherished his time antiquing and fishing. At home, he found peace and happiness in gardening, tending to his chickens, whom he affectionately called the girls, and simply enjoying relaxing in his own space with his wife. He also enjoyed hanging out with friends, playing poker, and jokingly picking on them, bringing plenty of laughs and good-natured fun wherever he went.
Above all of his professional accomplishments and hobbies, Ricci's true pride and joy rested in his family. He was an absolutely amazing father. Through games of catch, lessons about baseball and life, and many afternoons and evenings watching Cardinals baseball together, he cherished the moments he spent with his son. Years of watching his daughter’s dance recitals and competitions that turned into treasured family vacations, he was always his daughter’s biggest supporter and proudest cheerleader.
For over 20 years, he shared a partnership with his second love, his wife, Lisa. As a father, Ricci's love knew no bounds; he embraced the father role to his stepchildren with the exact same unconditional devotion as his own, leaving an indelible mark on their hearts. He also shared a profound love for his adoring grandsons, always cherishing the opportunity to talk sports with them.
Ricci is survived by his large, adoring family first and foremost, his Loving Wife, Lisa Anderson, his beloved children, Ryan Anderson and wife, Alicia Anderson, Tracy Anderson, Jonathon McDonald and wife, Ashleigh, and Jody McDonald and wife, Robiayne. His life was enriched by his grandchildren, Zachary, Wyatt, Emmett, Micah, and Nate, bonus grandchildren, Gracie Ann and Colt (technically a niece and nephew, though always embraced and loved as grandchildren, with Ricci and Lisa proudly serving as Nanny and Pawpaw to them all) and Gracie Ann's son, Landry Gates.
Ricci will always be remembered by his extended family, Mother-in-law, Beverly Baker, sisters-in-law, Laticia Rucker, Bethany Baker, Melisa White and husband, Petey, brothers-in-law, Chad Landry, Christopher Baker and wife Melissa, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. His memory will be cherished greatly by his friends and neighbors, Jake and Amy Kight and their daughters, Elliotte and Sunny, whom he completely adored and loved spoiling, alongside Terry and Denise Williams. The family's neighbors helped immensely throughout Ricci's illness, stepping up to handle everything that needed to be done around the house, from cutting grass and plumbing to taking care of the chickens. The family simply could not have made it through without them. A special thank you to Sue Brennan for making us delicious meals.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty Shutika and George Shutika; his brothers, Don Anderson and James Anderson; and his grandparents, James Wilson and Mary Wilson.
Ricci believed deeply in God, lived generously, and treated everyone he met with integrity. He was a pillar of strength, a guiding light to his children, and a cherished friend to many. He will be missed dearly by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.
A visitation will be held on October 9, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Melancon Levingston Funeral Home, 1605 Avenue H Nederland, Texas 77627. The funeral service will take place on October 10, 2026 at 11:00 am at The Temple, 4101 TX-73 Port Arthur, Texas77642 with Pastor Phil Chamberlain officiating. A graveside service will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches, Texas followed by a celebration of life from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Pour Neches Restaurant, 820 Lee Avenue, Port Neches Texas, 77751 for friends and family.
