James Leslie Anderson

Obituary James L. Anderson Dad was born on September 15, 1928 in Amarillo, Texas. Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and fought valiantly and with distinction in World War II and Korea. During his military career, Dad achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jim was a member of the Under-Water Demolition Team, predecessors to the U.S. Navy Seals. Following WWII Dad received an Honorable Discharge and then rejoined the USMC again in 1946 serving in the First Battalion as a Machine Gunner. Jim participated in major battles in Korea from the Pusan Perimeter to being trapped in the Changjim Reservoir Following his discharge from the military, Dad attended college and graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from UCLA. Following college, Dad went to work in the Oil Refining Industry in California, Texas and Tacoma, Washington where he was the lead engineer and supervised Sound Refining. In 1967 he met the love of his life, Florence (Bisceglia) and they married in Tacoma, WA on October 12, 1968. Mom and Dad lived in the greater Tacoma area until 1977 when Dad took employment in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska for Sohio Oil Company. Mom and Dad resided in Anchorage, Alaska and travelled all over the Last Frontier via motor home and plane. Mom and Dad were very involved at St. Benedicts Catholic Church, where dad developed a special friendship with Father Stan Allie and Bishop Michael Warfel. Dad retired in 1985 and moved back home to Tacoma where he lived out his retirement years. Mom and Dad loved their RV and travelled relentlessly across Canada, the East Coast, and back across the USA. Mom and Dad decided their second home would be at Belfair State Park, where for many years they met their friends and shared special times together. Special thanks go out to all of the rangers and staff, especially retired Ranger Greg, his wife Andrea, as well as Michael & Kathy Riley, Dr. Gerald Anderson and wife Nancy, and the late Dr. Gordon R. Klatt and wife Lou who have become more like family than friends. Sincere thanks to Franciscan Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion. Dad was a member of AMVETS Post #5 and the Olympia Sons of Italy. Dad loved his family and is survived by his wife of 46 years, Florence; sons, Bill Tabor (Ani), Tony Anderson (Linda); daughter-in-law, Sharon Nyland; grandchildren, Rochelle (Mike) Murphy, Lance Tabor, and Aaron (Liz) Nyland; great grandchildren, Cameron, Leif, Anna and Emma; son-in-law, Stan Nyland, He is also survived by Godchildren, Mary Moyer and Nicolette Riley, as well as many cousins. We will miss you Dad and the joy you brought all of us. "Thanks for the memories...the best is yet to come." A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 9:00am at St. Rita Catholic Church, 1403 S Ainsworth Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405. Viewing will be held from 10:00am-5:00pm on Friday, September 12, 2014 at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel, 1002 S. Yakima, Tacoma, WA 98405. Entombment Calvary Cloisters. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society/Columbia Bank Team/Tacoma Relay for Life, 1313 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402 in his honor. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.