John Rudolph Anderson

John Rudolph Anderson was born to Dolph Fountain and Hattie Anderson on November 9, 1926.  He spent most of his young life in Strengthford, Mississippi and at the age of 17 he enlisted in the Merchant Marines where he made numerous voyages across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during World War ll.  He also worked as a rough neck in the oil fields and served in the Army during the Korean War.  He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and later went on to obtain a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi. In 1951 he married Pauline Strickland and in 1958 they moved to Valparaiso, Florida where he began teaching science at Ruckel Junior High School and later became a counselor at Niceville High School.  He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his wife Pauline of 56 years, his sisters Farstine Burt, Vivian Cooley, Cecile Smith, and two children, John Rudolph Anderson Jr. and Paula Ann Anderson.  John R. is survived by his children Janie Rose(Pete), John F. (Cindy) and Alan, as well as grandchildren Trey Rose, Brooke Cole, Paula Anderson, Taylor Anderson and Austin Anderson as well as two great grandchildren, Hattie Rose Forster and Anderson Westbrook Rose.  The family would like to thank the many caregivers who made it possible for him to remain at home as long as possible and then to the people at Brookdale of Bluewater Bay for making the transition from home to facility as painless as possible.  Due to his love of science and having been a lifelong educator, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the STEM program at Ruckel Middle School or a charity of your choice.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Rudolph Anderson, please visit our floral store.