Memory Eternal! Archpriest John Anderson

The Very Rev. Archpriest Dr. John Wallace Anderson fell asleep in the Lord peacefully in his sleep at his residence in Billings, Montana, on 11 February 2020, at the age of 95. He was soon to celebrate his 40th Anniversary to the Holy Priesthood. Born in Red Wing, Minnesota, on 08 April 1924, raised as a Lutheran in the southern Minnesota Scandinavian farming community of Spring Garden, he served as US Naval officer (Ensign) on the USS Cabot carrier during World War II. After the war at Temple University he met the love of his life, the late Matushka Isabel Anne Scott Anderson. Wed on 26 November 1947, and raising a family of eight, they served together as Lutheran missionaries in Liberia and Sierra Leone, West Africa, promoting Bible Translation and literacy in the villages. At home in the States in 1977 they converted to the Eastern Orthodox Church, joining St. Innocent OCA Parish in Tarzana, California. In 1980 Father John was ordained to the Holy Priesthood and assigned to start a mission in Orange County, California. After operating a storefront mission and Orthodox day school in La Habra (1980-1989), Fr. John and Matushka Isabel served as instructors at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (1989-1993). After serving at Makarios III Seminary in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1995, Fr. John and Matushka Isabel lived in retirement near children and grandchildren in Billings, Montana. Attached to St. Nicholas OCA Church, they enjoyed many years of interaction with the parish. Since Matushka Isabel’s death in 2004, Fr. John continued to stay active by authoring several books, all of which are available at the usual big online bookstores. Fr. John leaves behind a loving family which includes 18 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be led by His Eminence, Archbishop BENJAMIN at St. Nicholas of South Canaan Orthodox Church in Billings MT. Service Schedule:

Sunday Feb. 16:

Panikhida 5:30pm

Monday Feb. 17:

Divine Liturgy 8:00am
Funeral for a Priest 10:00am