Jack Gerome Anderson (1937-2026)

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

Jack Gerome Anderson- Jack, Dad, Papa, Grandpa, Mr. Anderson- departed this life

peacefully in his sleep in the wee hours of the first sunny Sunday of spring, exactly as he had

wished for. After a final year spent practicing the art of forgiveness and saying everything he

needed to say, he left us "softly" as a world made significantly brighter by his presence.

The Man in the Rainbow Suspenders

Jack was a man of many titles: computer systems analyst, drive-in movie car traffic guy,

philosopher, poet, disc jockey, freelance writer, and "used-to-be-golfer." But he was perhaps

best defined by his signature look. Whether wearing his famous rainbow suspenders or the

many other whimsical straps in his collection, Jack wore his personality on his sleeve-and his

shoulders.

His life was a curated collection of small, intentional joys. He was a master of "frothy" blender

omelettes, a mini-golf aficionado, and quite possibly the uncredited Guinness Worlds Record

holder for "loudest dad sneeze." He left behind a roster to identify all of his teddy bears past and

present, and a beautiful collection of framed art from his family, neighbors, and local artists he

befriended. He found magic in nature, from the rainbows on his walls to getting excited over the

latest space telescope images.

A Life of Curiosity and Kindness

A proud graduate of Albuquerque High (Class of '55), Jack's journey took him from chilly New

York to the healing air of the"Land of Enchantment," and then out to the Bay Area and back

again. He was a lifelong student of the "Teacher-Within," studying from great thinkers of the

world while never losing his humility. He said that he found as much wisdom in the "quiet voices"

of his children and grandchildren as he did in his library. His daughter Kay tells the story of those

special trips when she and her brother flew out to visit him on the west coast for sightseeing,

shopping, and quality time for the three of them as some of her happiest memories.

Jack's ability to be a "good neighbor" may have been his greatest super power. He was the man

who knew the life story of everyone at his regular stops, who secretly helped neighbors in crisis,

and the one who carried "Greenies" in his pocket for every dog and cat in the neighborhood. He

was a man of unrivaled preparation-building castles of toilet paper, chronicling every expense,

and famously making his wife wait in the car during labor so he could buy M&Ms, only to realize

he already had three bags packed in his bag.

A Troubled Man, Relentlessly Seeking Peace and Joy

Through all the challenges of his life- from his parents' alcohol use, his brief forays in the army

and the university, through four marriages, many career changes, surviving a ruptured disc,

prostate cancer, and heart disease, and a lifelong struggle with OCD- Jack's love of music,

philosophy, and nature carried him through. In his quiet moments, Jack was a poet, children's

author, and a songwriter. His writing includes 7 books and countless technical, editorial,

educational, and humorous published articles.

A "Neighborhood" of Love

Jack is survived by his son Jim, and daughters Kay and Julia, along with 9 grandchildren, 8

grandchildren, a community of neighbors who are better for having known him, and his former

wife and lifelong friend Jocelyn. He joins- among many other beloved- his brother Dale, best

friend Terry, and his loyal dog Gabby. Jack befriended people of all different traditions,

viewpoints, and practices. In our grief we are all united by his loving kindness and his credo:

GOD BLESS EVERYONE, NO EXCEPTIONS