Cecil E. Anderson

Cecil E. Anderson, 97, of El Campo and formerly of Indianola Beach, Texas, passed away on March 15, 2026. Born on June 30, 1928, at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston to Oscar and Emma (Linquist) Anderson, he graduated from El Campo High School before serving in the U.S. Army in Korea as a jeep driver. In 1956, he married Jean Marek of Pierce, Texas, and together they raised three daughters while building a life centered on family, hard work, and community.

After his military service, Cecil returned to El Campo and, with Jean, opened the town’s first drive-in grocery stores, Cecil’s Drive-In #1 and #2. He later enjoyed a long career in the rice industry at Rice-Belt Warehouse, retiring in the mid-1980s and moving to Indianola Beach. There he launched a second career with Hook, Line and Cecil Fishing Guide Service, sharing his lifelong passion for hunting and fishing with many new friends. Known affectionately as the Reverend, the Mayor, and the Beach Maintenance Foreman, he embraced life at the coast with characteristic energy and warmth, forming deep connections across Magnolia Beach, Indianola Beach, and his hometown of El Campo. In his late 90s, he and Jean returned to El Campo to be near family.

A devoted father, Cecil taught his daughters to hunt, fish, back a boat, and maintain their own homes, instilling in them independence, strength, and self-reliance. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church, the El Campo Rotary, the Elks Lodge BPOE 1749—where he was known as Seaweed and enjoyed cooking for fellow members—and the El Campo American Legion Post 251. He also participated in the El Campo Horseman Riding Club, where he cooked for trail rides and pulled the beer wagon so his girls could ride horses.

Cecil was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Jean (Marek) Anderson; daughter Cindy Lyn (Anderson) Howell; parents Oscar and Emma Anderson; and brothers Keith (Giesel) Anderson and Karl Anderson. He is survived by daughters Debbie Moss (David) of Pearland, Donna Mikeska (Gerry) of El Campo, and Rosilda Eglar of Brazil; grandsons Grant Moss of Houston and Clay Moss of Austin; granddaughters Krista Mulkey (Justin) of Virginia and Kara Howell of Port Lavaca; and great-grandchildren Rileigh and Landon Woynaroski and Waylon Mulkey of Virginia.