Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces memorial services for John Wayne Anderson, age 69 of Acworth, Georgia, who passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2013.
John was born on October 18, 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late John Cunningham & Helen (Forman) Anderson. With a sense of duty and patriotism he enlisted in the United States Army where he proudly served for 30 years. John advanced through the ranks to Sergeant First Class and he held a number of positions from Supply Sergeant to Saxophone player in the famed U.S. Army Band. He valued education and earned Associate Degrees in both Computer Science and Music. He played Clarinet in the Church Orchestra. Helping others was a passion of John’s which he did as a volunteer firefighter and coaching fast-pitch softball in Cobb County for 15 years. He helped to start the Lacrosse team at North Cobb High School. He believed a coach taught much more than just a sport, but taught life lessons. John saw potential in everybody and impacted the lives of many players and his community as a whole. Gifted with patience, he would show you how to do it better and that the easy way was not necessarily the right way. His outgoing personality led to interests in fishing, hunting, golf, bowling and racing. He was preceded in death by his parent’s and sister, Kathy Varney.

He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him, but especially missed by his family: loving wife of 20 years, Kim Earnest Anderson; son & daughter-in-law, John W. Anderson, Jr. and Elizabeth; daughters, Morgan & Megan Anderson; grandson, Ian Anderson; brother, James R. Anderson and sister, Nancy Shelton.

Memorial services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2013 from Summit Baptist Church in Acworth with Dr. Jimmy Slick and Rev. Bill Earnest officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 5 until 6:30 p.m. Interment in Arlington National Cemetery will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Truett- McConnell College, Attn: Coach Shepherd, 100 Alumni Dr., Cleveland, GA 30528 for the establishment of a softball field.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville.