James Howard Anderson

James Howard Anderson passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025. Jim was born on October 20, 1956, in Evansville, Indiana to Kenneth F. and Nadine R. Anderson. The family moved to Oklahoma City in 1959 when his father was transferred.

A 1974 graduate of John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City, Jim went on to graduate from the University of Oklahoma in 1981.

In 1987, Jim joined the staff of the Oklahoma Geological Survey where he worked for 30 years, retiring as Manager of Cartography. An achievement of which he and his family were most proud was his amazing contribution to the publication of “The Historical Atlas of Oklahoma” published in November 2006 on the eve of Oklahoma’s centennial. Jim created more than 170 maps – in full color – for this edition charting Oklahoma’s rich and varied history and population trends.

Jim enjoyed his career tremendously. In 2014, a question arose at OGS regarding the oldest published geological map of Oklahoma. Ever inquisitive and up for an adventure, Jim and a colleague remembered seeing some old maps in the storeroom that might answer the question and instituted a search. Not only was the original question answered, in the process Jim and his colleague discovered a long-forgotten but important historical map. The watercolor toned, hand-drawn map entitled “Map of Oklahoma Territory, 1898” contained handwritten notes including one off to one side reading “Preliminary Geological map of Oklahoma, 1904” along with the cartographer’s name. It proved to be the working version of the finalized document printed in 1905 and the first geological map of the state of Oklahoma. It was the work of Charles N. Gould, founder of the University of Oklahoma School of Geology and the first director of the OGS. The now restored and preserved historical map hangs in the library of Sarkeys Energy Center at OU and is open to the public.

Jim had a tender heart, a green thumb, a wonderful sense of humor and was a man of many interests and talents including sport shooting, riding his bicycle and just about any outdoor activity. He also enjoyed playing online chess, and regular Friday night poker games with “the boys.” He appreciated a variety of musical genres, and a variety of musical instruments including 6-string and 12-string guitars, the autoharp, the piano and electronic keyboard. He fed stray cats, loved wildlife, and his garden was filled with pots of flowers, a rose bush, and a magnificent giant flowering cactus. Additionally, his sunroom was home to a very happy and thriving rubber tree.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his two sisters and his brother along with their families, two cousins, and his many friends, all of whom will miss him immensely. The family would like to thank Jordan and Tammy with Frontier Hospice for their care and compassion; and Jim’s dear friend Steve who provided moral support and many miles of transportation during Jim’s illness.