John Anderson

John R. “Andy” Anderson, AFCM, USN (Ret). died at his home in Oak Harbor May 16, 2004, surrounded by his family. He was born Dec. 25, 1938, in Brockton, Mass., to Eric B. and Ruth Florentine (Seaberg) Anderson.

John had been a resident of Oak Harbor since 1978, serving at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. He was a master mechanic, fabricator, woodworker, tinkerer and jack-of-all-trades. John enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1956 and served at several duty stations around the country. He spent more than half of his Navy career with P-2 and P-3 aircraft. He retired in April 1986 with COMRESPATWINGPAC as an AFCM (E-9).

Mr. Anderson loved watching a good race, whether it was moto-cross or NASCAR. He never really retired. Following his naval career, he worked for Almac Recycling and Auto Wrecking in Anacortes for 10 years and then decided to pursue a lifelong desire to drive long haul trucks.

Mr. Anderson drove for Swift Trucking, bought his own rig and became an owner-operator. He loved his truck and drove for over seven years. John’s wife Jean would travel with him when she felt like a long road trip. John made arrangements to take on long hauls so he could stop and see his children and family whenever possible.

John was forced to give up driving just short of making the Million-Mile Club, due to illness. He will always be remembered as a kind and generous man who never turned down anyone in need. When he did have a break from his busy schedule, he enjoyed fishing in streams and lakes.

He was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 97 of Oak Harbor and the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Weymouth, Mass.

John Anderson is survived by his wife Jean of 45 years; by three sons, Timothy Anderson and wife Tessa of Trego, Mont., James Anderson and wife Kelly of Oak Harbor and Johnny Anderson and wife Theresa of Concrete; and three daughters, Rhonda Anderson of Virginia Beach, Va., Cheryl Anderson of Oak Harbor and Paula Summers and husband Robert of Marysville; and by one brother Frank Anderson of Boston, Mass.

Mr. Anderson is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Chelsea Anderson, Cody Anderson, Megan Anderson, Dustin Anderson, Kristen Harkins, Jessica Walosin, Warren Cornwall, Richard Campbell, Haley Summers and Tyler Summers; five step grandchildren, Douglas Ryan, Jr., Loreen Stevens, Alicia Weiden, Keely Garvin and Abraham James Bennett; four great-grandchildren, Patrick Dolon, Kaylee Dolon, Abbigail Walosin and Alexia Manibuson-Cornwall; and four step great-grandchildren, Alex Stevens, Jenna Stevens, Mason Weiden and Austin Weiden.

Memorial services for Mr. Anderson will be held Friday, May 21, at 1 p.m. at the Chief Petty Officer’s (CPO) Club, Oak Harbor, with Cmdr. Fred Renfroe, CHC, USN (Ret) officiating. Full military honors will be provided under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Friends of Home Health, Coupeville or the American Cancer Society.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.