Nicholas Anderson, 41
Nicholas J. Anderson, 41, of Brandon, Fla., passed away on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Brandon, Fla.
Nicholas Joel “Nic” Anderson was born Sept. 8, 1983, to Terry Anderson and Marlys Stoelk in Des Moines. Nic attended elementary school in Ankeny and graduated from AR-WE-VA High School in Westside with the class of 2002. Nic enlisted in the United States Air Force later that year, and served until December 2015, when he was medically retired under honorable circumstances.
Nic continued employment in the defense industry, most recently working for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. He served as the Special Access Program Internet Technology Cyber Systems Research and Development Operations Manager from March 2019 until October 2020 at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. Nic moved to United Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., in October 2020, where he served as the Lead Software Engineer until April 2023, when he assumed his role at United States Special Operations Command. Nic attained a Top-Level Security Clearance, the highest level obtainable, which he was very proud of and deeply respected for. Nic recently received a promotion and was assigned as Chief of Information Systems Technology for the United States Operations Command, Directorate of Intelligence, Counterintelligence and Human Intelligence Division, Identify Intelligence Operation Branch. Prior to joining the Defense Intelligence Agency, Nic worked as a contractor supporting the Defense Intelligence Agency at Patrick Air Force Base as the Senior Systems Analyst and Cybersecurity Specialist from December 2015 to February 2019.
Nic enjoyed his military career which took him to many parts of the country, as well as overseas. He continued his education while in the service earning his bachelor’s degree, as well as a master’s degree, and was working towards a doctorate degree.
Nic was an affectionate, dedicated and hardworking person who always put the needs of others ahead of his own, and his two children adored him. He was patient and genuine, and loved to see them grow and be happy. Nic enjoyed staying active and volunteering his time coaching youth soccer. He enjoyed deep sea fishing, motorcycles, home improvement projects and scuba diving. Nic was always up for an adventure or vacation. He saw the world with his military travel, but really enjoyed traveling abroad with family to Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, and Iceland, just to mention a few places. Nic loved animals, especially his cat, Squeaks. He really enjoyed gadgets and gizmos and would often be tinkering with a project. Some may not know, but Nic had Heterochromia, and his eyes varied in color with a hint of gold and green. As a kid, he thought the gold streak was really cool.
Nic was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elvin and Zelda Anderson, and Merle and Eileen Stoelk; and two uncles, Allen and Douglas Anderson.
Nic is survived by his children, James and Zelda Anderson; parents, Terry Anderson and Vicki Sickels of Red Oak, and mother, Marlys Stoelk of Phoenix Ariz.; sister, Lindsay (Jason) Taylor of Overland Park, Kan.; brothers, Jason Sickels of Red Oak, and Michael Anderson of Vail; two nephews, Davis and Anderson Taylor of Overland Park, Kan.; and niece, Hadleigh Sickels of Red Oak.
May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.
Graveside Memorial Service with Military Rites will be held Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Arcadia Cemetery, Arcadia.
Visitation with the family will be held Friday evening, Nov. 29, 2024, at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m.
The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to: Nicholas Anderson Memorial Fund, Montgomery County Memorial Court of Honor, or to the charity of your choice.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at sldfuneralhome.com.
Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of Nic’s arrangements and serving his family.