Our beloved 'Jim' went home to be with Jesus on March 21, 2022 at the age of 72. He was surrounded by his family who had the privilege of sharing this sacred transition with him. Music, singing and reading of Jim's favorite Bible verses while with him that morning brought a tangible sense of love and peace that could only be described as holy.

Jim was born to Kenneth and Helen Anderson, his loving parents. Before marriage, they had corresponded for 4 years during WWII dreaming of someday having their own family when Ken returned from his deployment in Europe. They often spoke in their letters of their hope of "having a son and a daughter." Little did they know what a delight and blessing Jim would be to them and eventually a multitude of others!

Known for his gentle and kind personality, Jim was a loving and dedicated husband, father, son, uncle and brother – as well as a loyal friend. His fun-loving ways and humor set him apart and made him a magnet, especially to kids! For many years he used his gifts of art, humor and creativity to minister to junior high and high school kids with a special compassion and intuition for those who needed extra encouragement.

Jim's bedrock faith in Christ and his innate sense of humor would prove to carry him through future circumstances he never could have anticipated. His faith and light shone during the toughest and most challenging days imaginable through his 12-year battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), as well as colon cancer in the final months of life. From hospital beds to nursing care centers, Jim blessed everyone with the love and grace he exuded from his heart and countenance. Even when he could no longer speak or move, he continued to communicate with his eyes that he was delighted to see you.

Jim graduated from Stadium High School in 1967, where his nickname was "WallyPie" because of his likeness to Tony Dow (Wally Cleaver!) He played the tuba in the Stadium marching band and enjoyed music throughout his life. He began courses at Green River Community College in 1968 but paused his studies to enlist in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. After basic training in Texas, Jim was stationed in Hawaii for four years, earning the rank of Sergeant. When his military service ended, Jim earned a BA in Public Administration from City University in Tacoma. He then worked in the private sector for over 40 years as a faithful employee of Washington Floral and Vincent's Apartment Washer Service.

While recuperating from a life threatening injury in 1987, Jim met the love of his life, Marilee Hill, at First Covenant Church. They were married in 1992 and enjoyed doing volunteer work that supported families and youth in parenting programs and church ministries. Jim received special recognition from Child Abuse Prevention Resources for his years of service providing children's activities while parents took classes through the Sumner-Bonney Lake Family Center and STARR Project.

After years of praying for the opportunity to have a family of their own, God blessed Jim and Marilee in 1998 with a son - Joel Robert Hill Anderson - bringing a prized dimension of love and laughter to Jim's life! Jim was an extraordinary father who found his highest calling in supporting his family. During the last decade of his life, Jim's family truly became a team in their work to care for his basic needs and advocate for the best possible care available to slow the impact of MSA on Jim's physical health.

An avid sports fan, Jim especially loved baseball and golf. He was able to make a special trip to Cooperstown with his family in 2013 and then traveled to Pittsburgh to see a Pirates game at PNC stadium with his best friend, Geoff Giancola. However, all would say that Jim's greatest joy was coaching his son, Joel, about which club to use on a golf hole or how to catch a baseball. "Joel's Dad" cheered on his son at baseball games, soccer matches and golf tournaments for years, until MSA made it too difficult for Jim to travel.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marilee Hill-Anderson; son, Joel R.H. Anderson; sister, Kathryn (David) Hannula; nieces, Jessica (Phil) Gallo and family, Julia Hannula, Laura (Jeff) Korthuis, and Eleni Hannula; as well as many beloved cousins. Jim's parents preceded him in death.

A Celebration of Life service to honor Jim will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at University Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 – 27 ^th Street West in University Place, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made online to the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition (MultipleSystemAtrophy.org); DefeatMSA (DefeatMSA.org); or Mother2Many (Mother2Many.org) – a skate park ministry serving youth and families around Pierce County. To honor Jim's love of sports, please join us in wearing your favorite team jersey or golf sweater to the service.

Jim, as we remember your life, you continue to teach and mold us. A sense of your presence will forever be with all your family and friends. We desire "to imitate you as you imitated Christ." Truly the world can be transformed when we love and value others the way you did. Thank you for letting your light shine and inspiring us to do the same.

We can only imagine the freedom, comfort and joy you have been experiencing since your home going. As C.S. Lewis wrote: "Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever and in which every chapter is better than the one before."  From The Last Battle. We love you, Jim!