James Ross Anderson

James Ross Anderson, Reverend, died Friday, November 15, 2019. Jim was born on Monday, April 15, 1929 in Saginaw Michigan. He graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw and Alma College in Alma, Michigan. He received a call to ministry after one year of medical school and graduated from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois in 1954. He also studied in the doctoral program for Pastoral Counseling at Michigan State University where he completed all course work short of the dissertation. He was ordained in the Presbytery of Saginaw, Michigan by a McCormick classmate Bernard Didier.

Jim was married to Sara Jane Holderman in 1953 and they had three boys. Their marriage ended in 1976. Jim was married to Mae (Martinez) Anderson in 1978 and until his death. Jim served as pastor to Las Placitas Presbyterian Church in Placitas, NM from 1980 until his retirement in 1995. He served churches in Decatur, Saginaw, and Laingsburg, Michigan; Ada and Dola, Ohio; Laramie, Wyoming, Albuquerque, Grants, Magdalena, and Placitas, NM.

Jim is survived by his wife, Mae; his three sons, Greg, Scott, and Mack; his sisters, Jean Ann and Betty Jo; his brother, Jack; and by his grandchildren, Ian, Bryan, Kelly, Taylor, and Myranda. He was predeceased by his mother Ethel (Scott) Anderson, father William Kerr Anderson, brothers William (Bill) Anderson and Paul Gallinat, and by his sister Ruth.

Jim was a true humanitarian and loved life to the very end. His jovial spirit infused all who were willing. Jim was not concerned with being liked, but he truly cared for the people he loved and thought everyone had gifts to bring to their congregation. If you didn't want to be invited to join in, you'd best avoid eye contact.

While raising his family in East Lansing Michigan, he worked a second job as a chemist for Liquid Glaze corporation. It was here that he found a friend and mentor, his boss Marvin Ray, who introduced him to organized community service through volunteer work in the Job Achievement program and as a director of the East Side Drop-in Center. His commitment to the Civil Rights movement was realized in actions and words.

After moving to Albuquerque in 1973 Jim established the All Faiths Counseling Center and hosted a radio call in show on station KZIA called “I'm OK You're OK.” He counseled many clients and carried on an active wedding ministry until well after his retirement. There is a good chance that anywhere you go in Albuquerque, someone he married is close by.

Jim was dedicated to continued use of the Sandia Conference Grounds and was a believer in the healing and spiritual value of outdoor experience. As a youth he was an avid cyclist and canoeist and once rode a bicycle from Saginaw to the family cabin in Blind River, Ontario.

The family wishes to thank the staff of UNM hospital, too many to name, for returning him to us through his routine care in growing old and through the interventional care required after injuries and illness. The extra time we had with him was a gift beyond measure.

Jim would be pleased as would the family if you make any contributions in his honor to your congregation. Jim also had a special concern that medical care be brought to people in underserved areas. To that end, he initiated an endowment administered by the Presbyterian Foundation to support medical missions outside of the US. He named this foundation in honor of his parents and donations may be made though the following link:

https://endowments.presbyterianfoundation.org/fund/203100058647/

or to:

General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Attn: Operations Department

200 East 12th Street

Jeffersonville, IN 47130