Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1543164
50 C I N E M O N T A G E I N M E M O R I A M GEORGE HARRIS ANDERSON FEBRUARY 8, 1948 - DECEMBER 23, 2024 George went to sit at the Lord's Table December 23, 2024. He was 76 years old. G e o r g e w a s b o r n o n a c o l d d a y i n Oxford, Mississippi, on February 8, 1948. H i s p a re n t s, G e o rge H a r r i s A n d e r s o n and Jane Anderson, were deeply in love. W h e n G e o rge wa s s i x m o n t h s o l d , h i s father, a Navy pilot and war hero, died in a plane crash. G e o r g e w a s r a i s e d b y h i s m o t h e r, grandparents, and aunties. Papa played minor league baseball and was a cowboy before owning a couple of gas stations in Beaumont, Texas. Mama taught piano and voice. Auntie, who lived in the family home in Mississippi, brought forward, through example, the love of God in the purest sense. When you couldn't find George at the house, he was deep in the woods, fine-tuning his moral compass. This was his special place where he found solace throughout his life. Jane remarried and gave birth to George's half-siblings, Robert and Lindsey. G e o r g e a t t e n d e d p r e p s c h o o l i n Tennessee, where he discovered intellec- tual curiosity and the love of great writers. Throughout his life, he found the fellowship of a comfortable chair and a good book. Upon graduation from high school in 1966, George enlisted in the Marines. As he was predeceased by his father, George wasn't required to go to Vietnam, but he volunteered anyway. This was a period of darkness for George, as he had to follow or- ders against his deepest values. As a squad leader, Cpl. George Anderson used his guts and instincts to lead out most of the 13 ma- rines in his command, alive. In 1968, at the age of 20, he was the recipient of two Purple Hearts. Few people knew that George lived the rest of his life with both physical and emotional wounds. Back in civilian life, he worked as bus driver at the University of Texas, a car- penter, a plumber, a surveyor, and the only white waiter in the exclusive restaurant at the private Summit Club. Eventually, the love of music drew George to play bass and sing in bands. In 1978, George moved to Utah. Thanks to his sister Lindsey, he got a job with Sunn Classics Films, where he met sound supervisor Paul Huntsman. George's job as a film runner brought him to Los Angeles, where he worked in commercials and fell in with a group of talented sound editors at Blue Light Sound who taught him the craft of sound editing. His meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to his craft set him apart as one of the most ac- complished sound professionals in the field. George had over 80 feature film credits, most often as a sound editor and later, supervising sound editor. These included such films as "Silverado," "Predator," "Die Hard," "Dick Tracy," and "A League of Their Own." George's first job as a a supervising sound editor was the TV show "Crime Sto- ry" for Michael Mann in 1986. He worked in a similar capacity on "Groundhog Day," "Rudy," "Meet the Parents," "Mystery, Alaska," "Dodgeball," "Talladega Nights," and "Bridesmaids," among many others. George eventually became known as the go-to guy for comedy. His passion for sound, combined with his collaborative spirit, made him a mentor to many and a trusted colleague to some of the most talented filmmakers and sound professionals of his time. Harold Ramis wrote: "George's laugh at preview screenings gave me confidence." Jon Poll wrote: "George was chill before anyone even invented the word. I was lucky enough to work with George for 10 years, and he was always the calmest person to be around in any situation. He was also one of the most satisfying people to ever get a laugh out of." George liked to make lists of favorites: Favorite Books, Favorite Bars, Favorite Great Americans, Favorite Filmmakers, Fa- vorite Music, Favorite Breakfast Places on his many road trips to Mississippi — and of course, lists of prime numbers. George was also good at spinning a story as only a southern gentleman with a colorful past could. In the words of our friend Julia Poll: "There was a durable elegance about George, a depth of soul, and a worldliness evident in his understated humor, his grasp of what was also in his kind actions." F i r s t a n d f o re m o s t i n h i s l i f e w a s George's family. Experiencing art, cooking, watching movies, and storytelling with his daughters, Lindsey and Jennifer, gave him the deepest joy. He was an exemplary father and devoted husband. In his retirement, he looked forward to living in Santa Barbara, traveling (espe- cially to spring training), painting, writing, playing music, thinking about deep space, sitting in a comfy chair, and the company of many good books. He is survived by his loving wife Cindy Marty, daughters Lindsey Seale Anderson and Jennifer Anderson, sister Lindsey Dudevoir, nieces and nephews, and former wife and friend, Michelle Anderson. George was a true friend to those lucky enough to have known him. George's sophisticated and artistic soul will be missed in body as he will surely continue to be an agent of good wherever he goes. We hold you with love, George. ■ — Cindy Marty