John R. Anderson
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Obituary for John R. Anderson, Lawrence, KS
John Anderson died peacefully at home in Lawrence, KS on February 11, 2017. He was a man of faith who loved God, family, and friends above all else. John cherished time spent with others, particularly his siblings who he loved staying connected with whenever possible.
John grew up in Salina, KS and graduated from Salina High in 1956, briefly attending Kansas State University. While living his adult life in a variety of places, John greatly valued his life-long friendships with classmates, colleagues, and the many friends he made after retirement in Lawrence, KS.
John worked in retail sales in Salina, KS, Hastings, NE, and Moberly, MO, and served two decades as a wholesale buyer for a McKesson Corp in Harrison, AR and Boston, MA, highlighted by international trips to the Far East, before retiring in 2002. John enjoyed the outdoors and spent many hours tending gardens and landscaping for his children and grandchildren. He was active as a Deacon of First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence and volunteered to visit and serve communion to home-bound church members. He had a caring heart and maintained a sense of humor even when his own physical suffering increased.
Throughout his adult life John knew that his Father in heaven had a place for him and he never wavered in his faith. While he will be greatly missed, his family knows that he is in a better place.
John is survived by 5 children; Brad Anderson (Jane), Salina; Mike Anderson (Linda), Castle Rock, CO; Doug Anderson (Becky), Wichita, KS; Beth Easter (Greg), Lawrence, KS; Craig Anderson (Emily), Shawnee, KS; 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; his brother, Wayne Anderson (Marcia), Pullman, WA and his sister, Barbara Houdek (Larry), of Salina, KS.
In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts can be designated to Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment or a charity of the donor’s choosing and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence, KS on Saturday, February 18. Family will begin receiving visitors at 9:30. A burial and memorial service will take place in Salina at a later date. There will be no viewing as cremation was selected.
Our children grew up together and have remained life long friends. You were in my sons life for many many years and he had great respect and admiration and love for John. We sat together at Darin and Julie’s wedding and then again at Craig and Emily’s wedding. You were a kind and generous man and will be missed by many. God Bless you John.
Karin Widebrook
John has been a part of Jim’s life forever. Grew up in the same neighborhood, played together as kids and went to the same Grade School and High School in Salina.
He will be greatly missed, we have treasured his friendship for years. Rest in peace John. You will not be forgotten.
Mike, please accept and pass along to your brothers, your sister and the rest of your family our deepest sympathy in your fathers passing. I remember a few instances with his sense of humor in dealing with you guys! Also his attention to detail in identifying and calling out fuel prices on your trips! As you said earlier, he’s definitely in a place where there is no more suffering, no more pain! Love you guys.
Lived across the street from John in Salina KS. Remember many summer evenings playing hide and seek over a two block area. John was a neighbor friend and grade school friend as were his sister Barbara and brother Wayne. He will be missed. Prayers and blessings and comfort to all of you. Harriett (Larsen) Duell
My brother John will be missed a lot. I was looking forward to seeing John and spending time with him and his kids this summer when we come in June during the River Festival. He was a great brother and I have a ton of stories to share with his family. We could never come to agreement whether he paid me for my 1939 Desoto car when I left for the navy in 1953. I handed him the keys at the train station and said I wouldn’t need it for awhile. We had a good laugh about that because he sold it before I came home. We got into a lot of trouble with mom when we snuck off to go to Dry Creek to try out our homemade canoe with VanWie. As you can image it didn’t float very well since it was covered with old jean material and painted with old paint that took a week to dry. Oh the memories…playing ‘cowboys and Indians’ where Barb played the nurse, and when we played ‘kick the can’ out in the street. I’ll miss you my brother but I’m so glad we talked almost every week these past couple of years and I got to tell you how much I loved you.