Obituary
John (Jack) Anderson, passed away peacefully on Sunday October 27, 2024 with his son, grandson and granddaughter at his side. Jack had been dealing with failing health for some time, finally succumbing to complications from lymphoma.
Jack was raised on the family farm in Boring, Oregon. He attended Sandy Grade and Sandy Union High School. Jack married his high school sweetheart, Ruth (Lee) Anderson, in 1955 while serving in the US Army, and went on to a lifetime career with the Mt Hood National Forest, retiring as the Transportation Systems Manager in the late 1980’s. Lee passed away in 1989 from health complications.
After Lee’s death, Jack found joy in traveling the US and Mexico, meeting many people and experiencing a wide variety of adventures - eventually settling in Terlingua, Texas with his long-time traveling companion, Kathleen Howard. They lived “off the grid” and very much enjoyed their time and the friends they met there and across the southwest. Jack enjoyed hiking, photography, jewelry making, and many other pastimes. He also participated for several years in the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, starting as a balloon “chaser” for teams participating from outside the US, and eventually working as a project manager for campsite and event logistics.
After living in Terlingua for several years, they moved to Deming, New Mexico – a small community near the Mexican border. Jack and Kathy finally married in 2020. Sadly, Kathy passed away in January of 2024.
After Kathy passed, Jack moved to Sandy, Oregon to live with his son Mitch – coming back to where his story began.
Jack lived a full life, having a career he truly enjoyed, family and friends who loved him dearly, and had the opportunity to live and enjoy more years in retirement than he had worked. He was able to see a great deal of North America and got to travel to Europe with his first wife. He made friends everywhere he journeyed.
Jack is survived by his four children from his first marriage, Jonna, Tracy, Kirsten and Mitch, 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, as well as his two stepchildren from his marriage to Kathy - Lynnda Raleen Howard and William Michael Howard, as well as Raleen’s two sons and 3 grand-kids. He will be greatly missed.
Memorial services will be held at the Sandy Funeral Home on December 6, 2024 at 11:00am with a reception for family and friends to follow. Please contact the Funeral Home for more information.