In Memoriam: Rev. John Roger Anderson
We pray for the family and friends of Rev. John Roger Anderson, who died December 24, 2023.
Rev. Anderson was a former bishop of the Southwest California Synod, and a former pastor at Lord of Life Church in Sun City West.
Roger's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 13th at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 West Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Ossuarium Fund (which Roger served on the committee) or the El Salvador/Sister Church Fund https://www.htlcto.org/give.
Roger was born in Spokane, WA, on July 12, 1935. He was the youngest son of Rev. N. William and Myrtle (Miller) Anderson. He was baptized on September 9, 1935. At age 5, he moved with his family to Watertown, MN. It was there that Roger spent his elementary and high school years. As a boy, he spent many summers in Vasa, MN, with his uncle and aunt on their farm. During WWII, his youthful contribution to the war effort was driving a tractor, cultivating crops and threshing grain with various neighbors. Additionally, he enjoyed Scouting, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. During high school, Roger was active in band, chorus, and sports such as basketball and football. Outside of school, he was active in church activities: Luther League, choir, and Bible camp. It was there that the call to become a pastor was formed and nurtured.
Four wonderful years followed at Gustavus Adolphus College, where Roger enjoyed his studies. It was also where he met Beverly, the love of his life. They sang together in the Gustavus Choir and began to dream of a life together.
Four years of seminary followed at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Roger and Beverly were married on July 18, 1959 at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, MN. Their first year of marriage was spent in Los Angeles, CA, where Roger served his internship at Angelica Lutheran Church. Roger was ordained June 18, 1961 in Seattle, WA, with his class of 50.
His first call as pastor brought him, Beverly, and son Craig to Sunset Lutheran Church in San Francisco, CA. Daughter Laurel was born during those years. While serving as pastor there, Roger helped spearhead a joint confirmation school with 8 other Lutheran pastors in the Bay Area. This school spun off to other youth ministry ventures such as retreats and citywide fellowship events.
In 1967, Roger accepted the call to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Thousand Oaks, CA, where he served for 11 years. During those years, son Mark was born. While at Holy Trinity, Roger helped establish Boy Scout Troup 761. Along with lay leaders, it was determined through a community needs survey that a preschool was very much desired by families. The result of those findings was the founding of Honey Tree Early Childhood Center. In the fall of 2023, Honey Tree celebrated its 50th anniversary.
In 1978, the call from the LCA Pacific Southwest Synod in Los Angeles came for Roger to serve as an assistant to Bishop Lloyd Burke. As one of Burke's assistants, Roger served congregations in the five counties of Southern California, as well as assisting in the formation of the New City Parish in L.A. In 1987, Roger was elected to serve as the Bishop of the newly formed ELCA synod. This was a period of pulling together the ALC and LCA synods to work as a team. Additionally, the new ELCA synod supported a sister Lutheran synod in the country of El Salvador, which had been suffering during their civil war.
After serving as Bishop, a call came in 1994 from Lord of Life Church in Sun City West, AZ, to serve as Senior Pastor. During his ministry at LOL, the congregation, alongside neighboring Lutheran congregations, began to assist Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Phoenix with their homeless ministry. Lord of Life helped by providing clothing and food, as well as sending congregants every Monday to work the program. Roger enjoyed serving this final parish with their vibrant outreach programs and very active congregation. He retired in 2000.
In retirement, Roger and Beverly enjoyed several years of splitting time between their mountain home in Red Feather Lakes, CO, and Sun City West, AZ. They also loved traveling with friends to distant locations, as well as road trips around the United States, mostly visiting family and friends. These wonderful connections were a highlight in their retirement years. They especially enjoyed time spent with grandkids Logan, Lacey, Carl, Landen and Lars.
Around 2015, Beverly was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease which eventually called for a move back to Thousand Oaks, CA, to be close to family. Warm, enjoyable times were spent with family, local cousins, and good friends.
Roger is preceded in death by his wife Beverly, and brother Chuck. He is survived by his sister Grace Rossman; son Craig (Laurie); daughter Laurel (Mike); son Mark (Christie); grandkids Logan, Lacey, Carl, Landen, and Lars; and his children's pets. He is also survived by many, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
“O God of grace and glory, we remember before you our brother, Pastor John Anderson. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.”
