John Craig Anderson

Mr. Anderson was born July 4, 1944 in Florence, AL, son of the late Jack and Ellen Dowd Anderson. He was the son of loving catholic parents. Mr. Anderson attended St. Joseph's grammar school and graduated from Coffee High School in Florence, AL. He attended St. Bernard College and graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. Degree. After graduating he moved with his wife to New Orleans, La. and taught high school biology. During his time teaching he earned a Master's Degree in Public Health and Tropical Medicine/ Hospital Administration from Tulane University.

Mr. Anderson then served as an assistant administrator at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, LA. and St. Mary's Hospital in Reno, NV. Upon returning to his southern roots, Mr. Anderson and his family moved to Columbus, GA. where he was the associate administrator at St. Francis Hospital for fifteen years. In 1994, Mr. Anderson became the owner operator of several Mail Boxes Etc. Stores in the Columbus area. These stores were later franchised as the UPS stores. Mr. Anderson retired from his businesses in Aug. 2015.

Mr. Anderson was a faithful member of St. Anne Catholic Church. He was a former member of the Downtown Rotary and Columbus Country Club. He was also a member of Historic Columbus and the Columbus Museum. Mr. Anderson was a fellow in the American Hospital Association and was a co-parent/ founder along with Barbara and Phil Swift and Dr. Susie Ford of the Achievement Academy here in Columbus.

Mr. Anderson enjoyed playing golf, boating and gardening in his spare time. He will be remembered for his unwavering love and devotion to his family, his principled work ethics, his passion for Alabama football and his sharp witty tongue.

Mr. Anderson was preceded in death by his son John Christian (Chris) Anderson.

Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, Jean Rea Anderson; daughter Margaret (Meg) Cecelia Anderson; his sister, Ruth Anderson Horn; his nephew Brian Fletcher Horn and numerous other loving family members and friends.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday Sept. 12 at 11:00 at St. Anne Catholic Church with Father Jerimiah McCarthy officiating according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA. 31907. Interment will follow in Parkhill Cemetery. A Rosary will be said at Striffler-Hamby on Sun. Sept. 11 at 6:00 p.m. The family will receive friends during a reception immediately following the rosary in the Mill Room at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Anderson’s memory to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, St. Anne Catholic Church, 2000 Kay Circle, Columbus, GA, 31907 or to Muscogee Sports Special Olympics, 406 April Lane, Cataula, GA, 31804.

To offer condolences or to share a memory, please visit www.shcolumbus.com.