John E Anderson

MARCH 2, 1951 – APRIL 16, 2016

Loving husband, father and grandfather (“Papa”) John Edward Anderson left us on April 16, 2016 at the age of 65. John was born on March 2, 1951 in Clarkston, Washington to Kenneth Orin and Theodora Anderson. He attended Catholic schools in Clarkston until his family moved to Moscow, Idaho in 1962. John attended and graduated from Moscow High School in 1969, where he met his wife, Joyce Nearing. During high school John was well known for his yellow '57 Chevy Bel Air. John graduated from the University of Idaho (Economics) in 1974 where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and then shortly thereafter moved to Spokane, Washington. John worked in the sales division of Ralston Purina for 29 years prior to his retirement.

John and Joyce have two wonderful children, Steven Orin Anderson (Spokane) and Jennifer Mae Anderson Sanderson (Marysville). He loved spending as much time as possible with his children and grandchildren, Lucas Orin (Steven) and Camryn Svea (Steven), and was very involved in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Unit Commissioner, Cub Master, Assistant Scout Master and Committee Chairman, as well as helping out in any way that he could. He enjoyed his annual elk hunting adventures with his buddies each fall, pheasant hunting with his son, and spending time at Coeur d’Alene Lake with his wife and his family. John was always looking for a new project at home, at the lake or with his children. He will be remembered by so many for his wonderful smile, friendly personality, desire to help and ability to make conversation with anyone.

John is preceded in death by his mom, dad, and three sisters –Suzanne Anderson, Sally Strohmeyer and Patricia Beasley.

John is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Joyce Anderson; son, Steven O. Anderson (Kelly); grandchildren, Lucas Orin and Camryn Svea; daughter, Jennifer Mae Anderson Sanderson (Ken Espeseth), Father and Mother-in-Law, Guy J. and Verla Mae Nearing, and sister, Mary Jane Smith.

A Vigil Mass will be said for John on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 6:30 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 304 S Adams Road, Spokane Valley, WA, and a memorial Mass will be held on Friday, May 20th, 2016 at 1:30 PM. Both Masses are open to all who would like to attend. A reception will follow the Memorial Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to the Inland Northwest Council, Boy Scouts of America “In memory of John E. Anderson.”

Arrangements under the direction of Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home-Pines, Spokane, WA.