Ralph Douglas Anders, 76, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026 in Abilene. Private services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, TX.

Ralph was born on August, 26, 1949 in Nashville, TN to Dorothy Louise Hooper / Story and Fred Eugene Anders. He attended Lockhart Elementary and moved to Abilene, TX at the age of 14 when his mother married Bill Story, who was in the Air Force stationed at Dyess AFB.  Ralph attended Wylie High School where he was part of the FFA and graduated in 1968.  He also attended Texas A&M University after high school.  His study was petroleum engineering.

Ralph married Rebecca Jean Anders in 1970 and they were married for 56 years.  They had three children raised in the Wylie Community.  Ralph was a member of the Wylie Baptist Church for many years.  One of his greatest joys was participating and singing "This Little Child" on the Living Christmas Tree. Ralph had a beautiful singing voice.  He started singing in junior high by singing duets for the school PTA meetings.  He and his brother enjoyed playing the guitar and singing for friends and church events while in high school. He continued to use his voice for the Lord until the end of his life.

Ralph served his country in the Texas National Guard.  This was during the Vietnam War and he had a short draft number.  He served from 1969 to 1975.  Ralph was very proud of his time serving our great nation.

Ralph went to work for his father-in-law to learn the skill of real estate appraising.  He went to work for the Central Appraisal District of Taylor County in 1980.  He also worked for the Central Appraisal Districts of Williamson, Fort Bend and Scurry Counties of Texas. He held several offices in TAAD through the years.  He wrote and enacted many computer programs for mass appraisals still in use today. 

Ralph's love for the land and cattle began at a very early age on his grandfather's farm outside of Smithville, TN.  He brought that love with him to Texas.  He was at his happiest walking over his land and feeding the cows.  He was born in Tennessee but he sure did make a good Texan.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gary Anders; step-father, Bill Story; and step-mother, Virginia Anders.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Rebecca Anders of Snyder, TX; his children, Molly Collier and husband, Dan of Anson, TX, Amy Shumake and husband, Brandon of Kirbyville, TX, and Douglas Anders of Cedar Park, TX; brother, James William Story, Jr. of Dickson, TN; nephew, Lance Story of Dickson, TN; niece, Sarah Reeder of Abilene, TX; twelve grandchildren, Madison Moore, Mayleigh Moore, Megan Collier, Makenna Collier, Emma Collier, Matthew Collier, Emilee McCleod, Jamie Dickins, Kinley Reed, Riley Schumake, Bailey Webster, and Hayden Anders; and eleven great-grandchildren.