Obituary: James Anderson, 72, of Ludington

Jim Anderson

James Burton Anderson, 72, of Ludington, passed away on September 10, 2024, after a valiant five-year fight with esophagus cancer.  He was surrounded by his wife and three loving daughters.

Jim was born on April 11, 1952, the second son of Burton and Barbara (Hamilton) Anderson. After graduating from Ludington High School in 1970, he attended West Shore Community College where he earned an associate degree in chemistry.  He then was employed as a supervisor by Dow Chemical Company, later Occidental Chemical Corp. of Ludington. He retired in 2014 after 42 years.

On January 18, 1975, Jim met Alice Yost at Ludington Recreation Bowling Center.  Although he didn’t have a white horse, he did have a 1973 Ford Mustang.  From that day forward, Alice called him her Prince Charming. They married on September 23, 1978, at the Community Church of Ludington.  Together they raised three daughters and celebrated almost 46 years of marriage.

Jim loved nature and became an avid hunter and fisherman in his youth.  He and his brothers Ed and Bob learned the joys of the outdoors from their father Burt.  Some of Jim’s favorite times were spent hunting and fishing with his brother Bob, good friend Larry Gaylord and many other buddies at the cabin in the U.P.  He also enjoyed fishing and boating with his daughters and grandchildren where he was happy to spend hours baiting hooks and helping his grandchildren reel in the “keepers.”  During their retirement years, Jim also loved to travel with his wife Alice.  They enjoyed numerous winters together soaking up the sun on Anna Maria Island, Florida. They especially loved their favorite summer spot at Smith Family Ranch on the banks of the Yellowstone River in Emigrant, Montana.  They would load up their two dogs, head west and spend days exploring the wonders of Paradise Valley and Yellowstone National Park.

Jim was a quiet man, with a great sense of humor and was quick with a joke, a silly song, or a good story.  He got the cooking and baking gene from his mother Barb and made wonderful holiday dinners and would often surprise his family with fresh banana bread and pies. He never missed baking a homemade birthday cake for his girls, making their favorite flavors every year. He was a very proud father and “Papa Jim”, and could often be found at band concerts, sports, and school events featuring his daughters and later his grandchildren Avonlea, Collin, and Ava.  During his last months, his new little granddaughter, Molly, brought a special light and joy to his life as he got to watch her grow and learn to sit and crawl all while she offered her sweet smiles to brighten his days.   

Jim’s late sister-in-law, Louise Yost, once said about him, “Any man who loves little children and fluffy dogs, is a keeper.”  Jim was that for sure.  He will always be remembered for his quick wit, kindness, and willingness to lend a helping hand and will be dearly missed by all his family, friends and two faithful dogs Barley and Brady.

Jim is survived by his wife, Alice; children, Kim (Matt) Johnson, Jenny (Sean) Roach, and Jamie (Jordan) McClure; brothers, Ed Anderson and Bob (Connie) Anderson; grandchildren, Avonlea Johnson, Collin and Ava Roach and Molly McClure; brother-in-law Jim (Carol) Yost; best childhood friends Larry Gaylord and Wayne Andersen; special friends Joe and Heidi Moloney and Chris Fonnesbeck, many other friends, numerous nieces and nephews, and other relatives.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Burton and Barbara Anderson; infant brother Richard Lee; father and mother-in-law Gaylord and Natalie Yost, and sister-in-law Louise Yost.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington.

A funeral will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

The family asks that those who wish to make a remembrance donation consider Hospice of Michigan, Mason County PAWS Humane Society or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com.