Family and friends said Christopher Anderson was a loving, responsible person with a bright future. Anderson, a business management junior, died at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City on April 11 after a car accident.
They’ll never forget that night, the haunting sound of the cellphone ring or that moment when they caught their first breath after hearing the news.
They’ll never forget the long, tense drive to the hospital.
More importantly, Christopher Anderson’s friends will always remember his smile, his joy and his love.
“Anyone that ever met him, loved him,” said John Cloud, a biochemical molecular biology junior. “His personality was addicting. He put a smile on anyone’s face.”
Cloud was of the many friends who drove to OU this past Friday morning to be with Anderson during the last few hours of his life.
Anderson, 20, swerved into oncoming traffic on 26th street and crashed into another car shortly after midnight on April 11. Anderson, a business management junior from Colleyville, Texas, was flown to the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City where he died of severe head and internal injuries, according to a Stillwater Police Department news release. Anderson was 18 days shy of his 21st birthday.
Mike Gilligan, one of Anderson’s Lambda Chi Alpha brothers, said Anderson had been at his house before the crash.
“I got a call at 1:30 [a.m.] from my roommate saying that [Chris] had just been in an accident,” said Gilligan, a health promotions junior. “I guess he was driving down 26th street, and somewhere along the way - I know it had rained the night before so I don’t know if the roads were wet or what and I also know it’s a hilly road- I guess at some point, he lost control of the car.”
Andy Kirkpatrick, another fraternity brother and a marketing junior, said he’d heard that Anderson swerved into oncoming traffic and was hit trying to swerve back out.
“He got hit on the driver side,” Kirkpatrick said.
Andrew Chilicki, who was in the passenger seat was treated for minor injuries. Chilicki was Anderson’s roommate and childhood friend, said Tony Ciaccio, one of Anderson’s housemates. Ciaccio said Chiliki and Anderson had been friends since 7th grade and had played on Colleyville Heritage High School’s golf team together. Chilicki, who was still in Texas as of Wednesday night, could not be reached for an interview.
“We were a pretty close group,” Ciaccio said. “That’s why whenever all this happened, it was pretty tough because when [Chris] and Andrew were out, I was actually supposed to be going but I had a test. “
I was waiting for him to get back. We just each kind of wait for each other. We were best friends.”
All the guys said Anderson was a great friend, a good guy and a caring person.
“He won’t be the one to tell you no or talk back,” said Aaron Light, Anderson’s big and management junior. “He’ll always help you if you asked him.”
Woody Anderson, Chris’ father, said Chris was very caring.
“He never got into any trouble, didn’t do anything other than enjoy life and treat people the way people liked to be treated.”
Woody said Chris loved OSU and was working hard to graduate on time. He was even planning to take three classes this summer.
“That was really important to him and no matter what we said as far as trying to maybe say, ‘Chris, slow down,’ Chris didn’t want to slow down,” Woody said. “He had a goal in mind, and he wanted to achieve it.”
Woody said Chris was studying entrepreneurial business because he hoped to own his own business someday.
Chris was well on his way to that goal.
He started working at TJ’s Seafood Market in Dallas, Texas, when he was 13 and was capable of running the business when he was 16, said Pete Alexis, owner of the market.
“Just think of that, a 16-year-old kid could run this shop,” he said. “That means he could open in the morning. He could close at night. He could write checks. He’d do deposits. Who at 16 does that kinda thing? He was always much more mentally advanced than his calendar years.”
Alexis said Chris worked so well with the customers that some would let only Chris wait on them. Alexis said he had hoped Chris would run the shop after he graduated.
Chris spent several weekends traveling home to work and spend time with his family. Gilligan said Chris was never handed anything and worked hard for what he had.
Alexis said that in high school Chris worked three nights a week, weekends, all school holidays and summer vacations.
“I called him on Tuesday and asked him to come home, and thank God I did because we really had a good weekend,” Alexis said. “Sunday [before the crash] he was a very happy man.”
Chris was at home celebrating his sister Amanda’s and his mother’s birthdays. Christ had four sisters: Emily, 23, Amanda, 17, Ashley, 20, and Brittany, 17.
Alexis said Chris really loved and was devoted to his family.
“[His sisters] adored Chris,” Chris’ father said. “They just really thought the world of him. Even when I look at this tragic loss, I just think what a great life Chris had because he didn’t leave anything on the table.”
Alexis said he was very close to Chris’ family and that he loved Chris like a son.
“You’ll not be able to talk to anybody who’ll be able say anything bad about Chris Anderson,” said Alexis, grief thickening his voice as choked back several sobs. “They don’t exist.”
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