Joseph Donald Anderson

ANDERSON, Joseph Donald
Vicksburg Joe first appeared on June 19, 1925 and departed on Sunday, March 25, 2012. He was born with a wanderlust and, as a toddler, was frequently tethered to a cement block to keep him home. He loved watching and playing with airplanes and after his first ride, in a Ford Tri Motor, he vowed to become a pilot. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943, graduating from flight training as a Second Lieutenant in March, 1945. Shortly thereafter he met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Liz Thornton. They were married on October 19, 1945 in Artesia, MS and returned to Kalamazoo in December of 1945. He worked at Crescent Engraving until March of 1953, when he was recalled to active duty in Waco, TX. His son Robert was born in August of 1948 and a daughter, Susan in October of 1954. Joe left his family in May of 1955 for a one-year tour of duty in Saudi Arabia, flying throughout the Middle East and Europe, returning to Charleston, SC in May of 1956. The family stayed there until November of 1961, when Joe was transferred to Andrews AFB in Washington, DC, flying with the Special Air Missions Squadron which flies the President and other dignitaries throughout the world. His final assignment was a two-year tour in the Philippines with Liz and Susan, from 1969 to 1971, when they returned to Vicksburg and Joe retired as a Lt. Colonel. During his Air Force career, he accumulated 10, 014 pilot/co-pilot hours, flew 16 types of aircraft, landed at 269 different airfields in 70 countries, 19 islands, 41 of the states and Washington, DC and made 6 trips around the world. Joe and Liz joined the Vicksburg United Methodist Church in 1984 and remained very active until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elwood and Helen Richmond Anderson, and two brothers, Robert and David. He is survived by his wife, Liz; his son, Robert Juliane Anderson; daughter, Susan Steve Marston; grandchildren, Rebecca Anderson, Christopher Marston and Elizabeth Todd Hallack. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 AM in the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre. Ave. Interment with full military honors will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Vicksburg United Methodist Church and designated for either UMCOR or the Great Gospel Sing-Out, or the Wounded Warrior Project. The family wishes to also thank a special friend, neighbor and Joe's personal physician, David Schriemer, MD.