John Andrew Anderson, Jr. was born on November 21, 1934, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the son of John and Violet (Hjelm) Anderson. John received his education in the Windom Public Schools; graduating in the Class of 1952.

On July 4, 1954, John was united in marriage to Gloria Jean Smith in Raton, New Mexico. He served in the United States Army proudly. Following his service to his country, John moved to the Sacramento, California area where he worked for thirty years for Pacific Bell Telephone. After his retirement, for ten years, the State of California hired him to work maintenance in a group home for boys. They later moved to Windom where John continued to live until passing away on Saturday, March 7th, 2009 at the Good Samaritan Society-Sogge Memorial in Windom at the wonderful age of 74.

John enjoyed many things in life which included sports of all kinds, music, camping, reading, and Bible Studies. In high school, he was the quarterback and his coach Glen Tewes said, “He was one of the best he had coached.” In California, he was the baseball coach for the little league and was the All Star Coach who took teams to the All Star Tournament.

John was a faithful member of the American Lutheran Church in Windom where was active in ushering, stewardship committee, and a worker for the extra activities of the church. John was also active in the American Legion Post-loving the flag and his country.

John is survived by his dedicated and loving wife of fifty-four years, Gloria Anderson of Windom; one son, Steven Anderson and wife, Teresa of Ogden, UT; two grandchildren, Steven and Julie Anderson; two brothers, Ray Anderson and wife, Lorraine of Windom; Roger Anderson and wife, Mary, of St. Louis Park; one sister, Irene Wiens Menken and husband, Richard, of Windom; one brother-in-law, Wayne Jensen of Windom; and many nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Virginia Jensen.