Jack Dale Anderson, Cmdr. USNR (Ret.), passed away peacefully at his home on June 22, 2009.
Born in Wilmington, Calif., on July 18, 1925, to Ralph and Jimmie (Timberlake) Anderson, the youngest of three children, Jack excelled in music, gymnastics and making people laugh. After high school he enlisted in the Navy serving with the Seabees in Okinawa and other parts of Japan. After the war he attended Long Beach State College where he earned his B.A. in education. After a brief stint teaching, he returned to the Navy where he served in the active reserves, including a tour in Korea, until his retirement in Oak Harbor in 1976.
Jack married Janice Williams in 1948 and they had two children, Christine and Michael. Throughout his life Jack treasured two things, besides his children and grandchildren, the most: friendships and his beloved boat, the Krisana. Engaging both, Jack would often cruise the islands with visiting friends and family, showing them his “heaven on earth.”
Preceding him in death were his parents, sister Adeline (Alex) Forbes, brother Ralph “Buddy” Anderson (Virginia), and many loved ones including his dear life-long friends Bill and Flora Wagoner of Bishop, Calif.
Jacked loved Oak Harbor the moment he arrived and displayed his affection through 30-plus years of community service in a wide array of civic organizations.
Jack is survived by his son Mike (wife Sheila); grandchildren Gabriel, Ian, David, Rachel and Hannah of Gunninson, Colo.; daughter Chris (husband Bill) Vest,; grandchildren Scott, Joshua, Sara and Ethan of Sandpoint, Idaho; special family friends Brad and Llena Wagoner and family of Richland, Wash.; and his lovely companion of six years, Barbara Folks of Oak Harbor.
His family would like to acknowledge his dear friends, Lee and Chris Layport of Oak Harbor for their friendship and fellowship over the years, and Jeff and Julie Lauderdale for their help and support. Jack acquired many friends all across the country, especially Oak Harbor, and he will be missed by all. A memorial is planned for Aug. 15, 2009.
