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ANDERSON, JOSEPH ELDRIDGE JR., 90, was at home surrounded by those who loved him most when his Heavenly Father gently led him to Paradise Sunday night.
Born in Hopkinsville to Joseph Eldridge Anderson and wife Sue Neeley, Joe grew up during the Great Depression, along with older sisters Dorothy and Leatrice, and moved to Louisville when his father entered Waverly Hills for the treatment of tuberculosis. He supported his family while attending Male High School. When men of courage were needed to stand up to Nazi tyranny, he left Western Kentucky State College to join the Army Air Corps. Awarded the Army Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart, then-First Lieutenant Anderson piloted a burning B25 bomber to destroy a key bridge before ordering his crew to bail out over Nazi territory. Badly injured, he led his crew through Nazi lines to freedom and 6 men made it back to America to raise families and live good lives.
He spent the rest of his life with similar resolve. While flying P51 fighters at Bowman Field after the War, he married Ruth Catherine Powell, raised three children, retired from the Kentucky Air National Guard, became an air traffic controller, retired from the Federal Aviation Administration, became a realtor and retired from Joe Guy Hagan Realty shortly after the Lord took his wife of 57 years home.
He met and married Louise Pumpelly three years later at Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church. That blessing was enlarged by the addition of three inherited children and their families.
Joe Anderson was not a complicated man. An honest man of faith, courage, love and humility, he led by example. In fact, the deeds told here were reported by others; he rarely spoke of them.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Louise; daughter Frances Anderson (Joe Maloney), sons Kevin and Dick Anderson (Barbara), grandkids Ruthie, Kevin, Joe (Hannah) and Pat (Allison) Maloney; second family daughters Ann Sass (Joe) and Ellen Blandford (Robbie), son Bob Pumpelly, more grandkids Adam and Paul Johnson, Benjamin and Thomas Pumpelly, and Michael and Kathryn Sass; nephew Lev Anderson (Ruth), nieces Sue Karg (Ron) and Maria LaRocca (Dan) and many extended family members and friends.
Please join his family in celebrating the life of Joe Anderson: Visitation: 4-8 PM Wednesday. Pearson's (149 Breckenridge Lane, St. Matthews KY, 896-0349).
Memorial Service: 11 AM Thursday, the Sanctuary at Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church. (311 Browns Lane, St. Matthews KY) Burial will follow at Cave Hill Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the good work of Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church.
If you care to honor Joe Anderson, the family asks that you live as he did. The world will be a better place.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
To the Anderson Family, I am very sorry for your loss. Mr. Anderson was clearly an American hero and patriot. I am grateful for his good works and service in the interest of the very freedoms we and others overseas still enjoy today.
Sally Corbett
January 27, 2013
Dick, Frances and Kevin,
It was one of the pleasures of my life to know your father. He was the salt of the earth and one of my heroes, having serving his country with valor during World War II and having lived the rest of his life with patriotic grace.
John Lanza, Caldwell NJ
John Lanza
January 24, 2013
A great generation is passing before our eyes. How fortunate we are to have been preceded by such a man. May God be with you, Dick, and your lovely wife on this day and for the many days to come.
Gary and Mary Neidhardt
January 23, 2013
Joe was my father in law, and has been my father since my own passed in 2005. His example of loving care for his family will never be forgotten. I am attaching the full picture from which the picture on his obit was taken for those who were not at the service to see it. I have paid for this guest book to be online for at least the next 2 years so hopefully people will share many warm memories of Joe and how he touched their lives.
Barbara Allen Anderson
Barbara Anderson
January 14, 2013
This man is a true hero. Thank you, Joe.
Micki Whitfield
January 13, 2013
My deepest condolences to both of you. Losing a father is an enormous moment in time. May you be filled with /serenity.
Micki Whitfield
January 13, 2013
Joe is flying in formation again in his B-25 "Flyin Red Horse" with his wingmen Marvin Hall and Richard McEldery. I'll light a candle for Joe nearby the Memorial Tablet raised on the former 310th BG airfield Ghisonaccia Corsica. My Sinceres Condolences to the Family. Dominique Taddei
Dominique Taddei
January 12, 2013
Dear Kevin and family, it has been a joy to have such wonderful memories of your dad, Joe Anderson at the Men of the 57th Bomb Wing reunions! Our prayers are with all of you at this time and encourage you to hold on to all of the beautiful memories of his life! Our pleasure has been to have known him! Bernie Peters and Pam Cosbey
Bernie Peters
January 10, 2013
May God bless you all, Dick, Frannie, Kevin and Louise. You know that I would be there if I could, he was always there for me. I will be with you all in spirit as will Ron. Thankfully he passed peacefully and he is with God. We love you all so much.
Ron and Sue
January 9, 2013
Mr. Anderson was such a kind, caring Man. Truth be told he should have thrown Dickie and I both in the Ohio river. Sharon & I are praying for the family.
Mike/Sharon Parsons
January 9, 2013
Dick, Frances, Kevin, and family members,
I offer my sincere condolences to all, on your loss. My Dad worked with your Dad as Air Traffic Controllers in Louisville, and I know a good bit of Joe's legacy in the KY Air National Guard. He was highly respected and accomplished in all of his endeavors. He was an intrepid aviatior, a true patriot, and a hero in many ways. Most of all, he was a gentleman, and a friend to everyone he met. Fair skies and tailwinds to Joe, and peace to you, his loved ones.
Ken Voelker
January 9, 2013
Though my father flew with Joe in the 428th he didn't know him that well. Fortunately, I did. I'll never forget our trip to Corsica and Italy, Joe's sense of humor, and his pidgin Italian! I've never met a softer-spoken, more understanding, or humble man. May all his flights be CAVU and all his landings be gear down with no flak damage!
Dave McEldery
January 9, 2013
Kevin, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary Newton
January 9, 2013
What beautiful words to honor such an incredible man. Uncle Joe will be sorely missed but we are all better for having known and loved him. I wish I could be there to help celebrate his life with you all!
Sarah Maciejewski
January 9, 2013
We'll miss you so much Uncle Joe!
Jenn Bryson
January 8, 2013
Uncle Joe was truly the sweetest, kindest man I have ever known, and I will miss him (and all his stories) every day for the rest of my life. Debbie Levy Anderson, Georgetown, Ky.
January 8, 2013
My father, Glover L. Claycomb retired from the FAA at Standiford Field and was well acquainted with Mr. Anderson. In his own words, " Joe was a real life hero" and he was a "good friend". Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family.
Laura Claycomb-Szafranski
January 8, 2013
Dearest Dick & Barbara,your service and love of God has inspired so many,graciously.My thoughts and prayers are with you today and always. Love, Mike Huff Jr.
Mike Huff
January 8, 2013
Dick, Frances & Kevin: Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I feel so fortunate to have known your dad.
Alan & Gloria Irvin
January 8, 2013
Deepest Sympathy.
Al & Ann Barton
January 8, 2013
Dick, Barbara and the Anderson Family,
May the comfort and joy that only Jesus Christ can bring to your life, sustain and keep you through this time of loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers and will remain in them!
God Bless,
Michael and Marcia Donnelly
Sioux Falls, SD
Michael Donnelly
January 8, 2013
Dear Dick and Family, Know that I am keeping you close at heart in thought and prayer at this time, bidding each of you God's Perfect Peace,
Jacquie Moore Trotter
January 8, 2013
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