LT Col John Waller Anderson

John Waller Anderson was born 23 January 1921. After a five weeks long fierce battle with influenza and pneumonia he passed away on 6 February 2015 at the age of 94 years old. John was born and raised in Nashville, TN and was the son of Mamie Waller Anderson and John Smith Anderson and the brother of Robert Harlin Anderson, all preceding him in death. Also passing before him was his beloved, devoted, and adoring wife and best friend, Almira Parks Anderson. He is survived by his loving daughters, Susan A Kalan and Martyne A Kostka, and loving step-daughter, Judy B Hall and husband Jim. He also leaves his loving step-sons, Frank Lewis and wife Graca, David Lewis, John Lewis and wife Paige. John leaves six granddaughters, Brooke Kalan, Erin Kalan, Dana Kalan, Kathleen Kostka, Abigayle K Farley and husband, John, and Mamie Kostka, and one great-grandson, John North Farley. He also leaves nine step-grandchildren, Andy Hall and family, Ashley H Bellamy and family, Adam Hall and family, Rebecca L Gardner and family, Rachel L Bowles and family, Amy L White and family, Taylor Lewis, Preston Lewis, and Parks Lewis.

John had been a resident of Kingsport, TN since 1951. After graduating from Tulane University in chemical engineering in 1949, he was employed by Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY for two years before transferring to TN Eastman Company in Kingsport in 1951. He was a licensed professional engineer and spent his latter years of employment at Eastman in Capital Projects prior to retiring in 1983. John's hobbies included photography, table tennis, golf, and yo-yoing.

In 1938 John enlisted in the 105th Observation Squadron of the TN Air National Guard. With the impending war he entered active duty with the 105th in 1940. He was accepted to Aviation Cadet Training and went on to serve as a pilot in the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron. John flew a P-61 Black Widow in the European Theater of Operations in England, France, Belgium, and Germany until the spring of 1945 when Germany surrendered. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters. He remained in the Air Force Reserves from 1945 until his retirement as a LT Colonel in 1981. He was a life member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Serving his country was always his second greatest passion up until his death.

His highest and first calling was to His Savior Jesus Christ to whom he served in his treasured church, First Baptist Church of Kingsport, TN. John was a senior deacon and longtime member of the Koinonia Sunday School Class. He served on the Church Nominating Committee, Grounds Committee, and Teller Committee, and was director of the Singles Sunday School Department. Besides his family, his life revolved around his faithful Christian friends from church who were devoted to both him and his family through prayer and fellowship. To all who knew John, he leaves the legacy of service to country, love of family, and mostly love of Christ.

John would want to say a thank you to all his dear friends at church, his faithful surviving buddies in the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron, his amazing caring Christian neighbors, his caregiver Tanisha Onishi, and his longstanding extraordinary physician, Dr Richard Reed. In John's later years he was also cared for by the kindnesses and expertises of Dr Asheesh Shipstone and Dr Sath Poobalasingham. The family also wishes to thank the devoted and caring physicians, the outstanding nurses, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational and speech therapists, and the nursing assistants who cared for John just prior to his death both in the ICU at Holston Valley Hospital Kingsport and then at Select Hospital Bristol.

John requested that any memorial contributions in his behalf be given to First Baptist Church, 200 West Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660, Samaritan's Purse, 801 Bamboo Rd, Boone, NC 28607 www.samaritanspurse.org or Wounded Warrior Project, P O Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church of Kingsport on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 2 pm with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating. The family will receive friends after the service. A private family graveside service will be held at Mountain Home National Cemetery with military honors by American Legion 3/265.

Pallbearers will be family and honorary pallbearers will be Koinonia Sunday School Class members.