James Anderson

JAMES O. ANDERSON IDAHO FALLS, ID - James Ole Anderson, 83, of Idaho Falls, died September 10, 2005, at Life Care Center following complications from a fall. He was born June 11, 1922, in Washington D.C., to Bessie Christensen Anderson and Cecil Andrew Anderson. He lived to be the last surviving son of four brothers. His father was with the Treasury Department, Customs Division, so Jim grew up in Florida, Georgia, Texas and Louisiana. He met his wife, Dorothy Felix, at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This was during World War II, and as a ROTC Cadet, he joined the U. S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. Dorothy and Jim were married March 24, 1944, in Alexandria, Louisiana. Two months later he was sent to Europe serving in the 28th Division (Bloody Bucket) as an aide to General Perry. This division served in the Battle of the Bulge where Jim was shot out of a jeep and captured by the Germans and was held a prisoner of war for 100 days. After his liberation, he was in Army hospitals in England, Louisiana, Texas, Utah, Missouri, and Michigan. He was awarded the Silver Star for heroic action in the Battle of the Bulge, and the Purple Heart. He was retired as an Army Captain. In 1947, he returned to college at LSU and earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering. His career in oil refineries and Aerospace took him from Louisiana to Texas, to California, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Saudi Arabia. Dottie and Jim enjoyed many travels together, national and world-wide. He considered Idaho Falls his home town and enjoyed his retirement of 32 years in “one home.” Throughout those years he enjoyed fishing, gardening, woodworking, birdwatching, cooking and visiting and having fun with his grandchildren. He is survived by: his Wife: Dorothy Louise Anderson, three children, Bruce Scott (Christine) Anderson and Kim Ruth Anderson Moore, all of Idaho Falls, and Kip James (Connie) Anderson of Champaign, Illinois; 7 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Andrew, Nathan and David. Memorial Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2005, at the Wood Chapel of the Pines, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends Tuesday beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Wood Funeral Home. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team. Arrangements are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home.