James Cochran Anderson III

Anderson, James Cochran, III, passed away peacefully Friday, October 3, 2025, at the age of 84.  He was born in Springfield, Illinois, a son of James C. and Anna Mae (nee Willson) Anderson, Jr.  Jim retired as Vice President of Thompson Biscuit Company and had been an active member of Manchester United Methodist Church.

He was the husband of Carleen Rempel Anderson; father of James C., MD (Jennifer) Anderson, IV, and Susan Peirce (Stephen) Inge; step-father of Christine Rempel (Craig) Waldrop, Theresa Rempel Grover, MD, Elaine Rempel (Michael Sr.) Melliere, and Brian Paul Rempel; grandfather of Jeremy (Lauren) Anderson, Riley (Erin) Anderson, Grace (Jake) Wightman, Evan Inge, and Aiden Inge; step-grandfather of Nicholas Waldrop, Brooke (Michael) Grover-Myer, Keaton Grover, Michael Jr.(Anna) Melliere, Mary Melliere, John Melliere, and Peter Melliere; great-grandfather of Genevieve Anderson; and step-great-grandfather of Josephine, Theodore, and Gabriella Melliere; brother of Janet Meany, and brother-in-law of John Peirce.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Barbara Peirce Anderson, who passed away August 29, 1989, a brother Robert Anderson, and a nephew, Robert Anderson.  

He was a beloved uncle, cousin, and friend to many. 

Jim had such a kind and gentle soul.  He will be remembered for his loving nature. And that smile…! He never met a stranger and everyone that met him felt like they’d known him forever. 

Jim was born in Illinois but moved to Battle Creek, Michigan as an infant.  He had a special connection with Michigan.  As a child he enjoyed spending summers in Michigan at Grandma Willson’s house on Gull Lake with all of his cousins. So much fun was had playing with his dog Jill, boating and fishing, and just experiencing life.  This is where Jim’s love of strong family bonds was formed.   He spent his life cherishing those childhood memories and creating new ones as his family expanded.  He loved to tell anyone that would listen about his wonderful wife, children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. He was so proud of the beautiful family with which he had been blessed.The family moved to Ladue, Missouri when he was 7 years old.  Jim was a 1959 graduate of Ladue High School where he had many lasting friendships.  Here he excelled in school and sports, becoming an all-star football player and captain of the team! The bonds that he made with his teammates extended throughout his life. When Jim first had health problems, those teammates mailed a football all over the country to sign and presented it to him to show their support!  It was in high school that he met Barbara, the girl that would become his wife. They both went on to attend Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and Jim graduated in 1963.  Jim was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and graduated with a degree in business. 

Jim moved back to St. Louis after graduation where he and Barbara were married on March 7, 1964. He went on to bravely serve his country in the Army and eventually the Coast Guard.  After his discharge, he began work at Southwestern Bell telephone company where he watched the Gateway Arch being built outside his office window!  Here he developed his business skills which helped him to eventually become Vice President of Thompson Biscuit Company, a family-owned business, where he worked with his father James and his brother Bob. During this time of his life, he worked hard at his job and simply enjoyed the life that he and Barbara had built together with their son and daughter, and their dog Jenny.

Throughout his life Jim was involved in so many organizations and activities, starting with his two active children Jim and Susie. With them, he participated in activities at the “Y”, Indian Princesses and Indian Guides, and attended figure skating for Susie and many a hockey game for Jim. He was the President of the Kirkwood High School Club Hockey Boosters, and was a Kirkwood Koury League baseball team sponsor. He was very involved in other community groups such as Golden Assets, a social investment club, and was honored to be President of Des Peres Rotary Club. 

Jim was always a faithful servant of the Lord.  He was a deacon at Kirkwood Presbyterian church and eventually attended Manchester United Methodist Church.  It was here that he met and married his second wife Carleen. They had both lost a spouse and, through church, found healing and a new beginning through participation in a grief support group called Theos.  Jim was an active member of the Chancel Choir for many years, a greeter on Sunday mornings, and found great meaning and friendships through his Sojourners Sunday School class and Bible study groups on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  

There were many things that Jim loved and that captured his attention throughout the years. He loved fishing and boating, and even water-skiing! He was an avid reader and especially loved to study war history.  He loved spending time with his dogs. He was a true fan of all of the St. Louis sports teams. He was often seen in the stands supporting his Cardinals, Blues and Rams. He even was able to attend two Super Bowls! Jim loved to explore the world through his travels. He and Carleen were able to see England and his beloved Scotland through trips with their church choir. They also were blessed to be a part of family trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and even a cruise that took them as far as Russia! But even more important to Jim were his trips to see their 6 children in Colorado, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Ohio. They were even lucky enough to have some family living locally in St. Louis. Spending time creating family bonds in his ever-expanding family was one of the most important things to Jim. He was so proud of his family!

Throughout his many years of illness Jim remained brave and courageous. He  demonstrated such physical and mental strength. His positive attitude and faithfulness were so heartwarming. Even when things were hard for him, he was always concerned about helping others with their problems rather than dwelling on his own. Jim was blessed by the care that he received through Unity Hospice and Sunrise of Chesterfield. As his family, we are so thankful to all of the staff who cared for Jim with such care and respect. We could feel their loving arms around us as we all said “Good-bye” to our Jim. His smile will be missed…oh that smile!     Services:  The funeral service will take place at Manchester United Methodist Church, 129 Woods Mill Road, Manchester, Missouri, 63021 on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 12:00 noon. Friends may attend a visitation one hour prior to the service.  A luncheon will follow the service.  Internment will be at Manchester Methodist Cemetery.  If desired, contributions may be made to TASK -Team Activities for Special Kids (taskstl.org) or Manchester United Methodist Church Chancel Choir Endowment. Visitation will take place at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Missouri, 63011 on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.