John Alfred Anderson (9/24/1954 – 4/2/2025)

On Wednesday April 2, 2025, John A. Anderson peacefully passed away with family at his side. He succumbed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig’s disease), a year after his diagnosis. While his body was failing him, his mind remained as sharp as ever, and his courage was remarkable and unwavering to the end. He accepted his fate, reluctantly, and recognized that he had led a wonderful and fortunate life. Looking at his wife and siblings, he said, “I’ve had a good run. We’ve all had a good run!”

John was born on September 24, 1954, in Eugene, Oregon to James and Greta (Skillern) Anderson. He was the second of five children. He attended Stella Magladry Elementary School, Kennedy Junior High School and Churchill High School where he did Boy Scouts and played baseball.

Following high school, John attended Lane Community College, where he played soccer and Southern Oregon College in Ashland.  He subsequently established a construction company, and in 1983 earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oregon State University. 

After graduating from university, John accepted a job as an IT manager at Wendex, an oil company in Garden Grove California with holdings in Texas, Oklahoma and Ohio. He met Nancy Louise Olson at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Long Beach, California, and they were married on November 30, 1985. They later moved to Bakersfield, where he worked for Pyramid Oil as an IT manager.   

In 1988, John and Nancy moved to Eugene, where John joined his father in managing the Truck ‘N Travel Truckstop and overseeing real estate investments. In the mid-90’s, John stepped up to the senior leadership role and, along with his siblings, helped grow the family business. Under his guidance, the businesses thrived. He also served in several leadership roles in the community, such as President of the Oregon Restaurant Association, President of Delta Rotary, and President of the Oregon Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

John’s life was influenced by his Christian faith and a strong commitment to his family and community.  He coached his daughter’s St. Paul soccer team through middle school and loved running, golfing, snow skiing and car racing with friends and family. The family enjoyed many wonderful and exciting trips together. John’s wisdom, encouragement and companionship will be missed.

John is remembered with love by his wife, Nancy; his daughter, Tayler; son-in-law, Taylor Raff; his four siblings, Paula (Larry)Fry, Tricia (Scott) Howell, James Jr (Ann), Dean (Susanne) and his large extended family and network of friends. 

A funeral service will be at 1:00 PM Monday, May 5th at Central Lutheran Church, 1857 Potter Street, Eugene, Oregon. If you are unable to attend the service, the service will be live streamed at welcometocentral.org  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Central Lutheran Church in Eugene, ALS Northwest (https://alsnorthwest.org/) , Delta Rotary (https://www.deltarotary.org/)  or Pacific Crest Council (formerly Oregon Trail Council by contacting Michael Marchese aMichael.marchese@scouting .org or Mike Marchese at (541)284-4394