Jack Anderson Jr.

Jack, more commonly known as Smilin’ Jack, was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, volunteer and Veteran. Whether it was as a soccer coach for his beloved Banana Splits, President or passionate volunteer of his Prestonwood East Homeowner’s Association, Deacon at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, or even just providing rides to friends that couldn’t drive or helping others around their houses, Jack always found a way to volunteer his time and efforts to help and serve others.

Preceded in death by his mother Hazel Pitts Anderson, father Jack E. Anderson Sr., and wife of 45 years Harriet Harvey Pope Anderson, he is survived by his daughter Laura Leigh Bledsoe, his son Jack E. Anderson III(Trey), Laura's husband Ronald Bledsoe, and three children Brayden, Meghann, and Amelia, and Trey's wife Sundee and their two children Cole and Madelyn.

Raised in Dallas, TX, he grew up near the shore of Lake Ray Hubbard as well as a little house on McCommas Boulevard. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1948 and was an active member of R.O.T.C. there and at Sothern Methodist University where he graduated with a Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1953 and a Masters in Engineering in 1964.

Because all he had ever wanted to do was fly a plane, Jack joined the United States Air Force in 1953 as a Second Lieutenant. It was during his time as a Captain that he met and married Harriet, the love of his life that he endearingly called “Doll”. Soon after getting married in 1965, he and Harriet were stationed in Wiesbaden Germany where their daughter Laura was born in 1968. After being promoted to Major, Jack was asked to serve his country in Vietnam where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the Air Forces’ highest honors, for outstanding and courageous service to his country. His tour of duty started the day after Neil Armstrong walked on the moon and concluded in May of 1970. It was at that time he met his son for the very first time after Trey had been born just 3 weeks into Jack’s tour of duty. Retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1973, Jack then spent 20 years with E-Systems(now Ratheon) as an Engineer working on several high level and top-secret projects for the government.

After Jack’s second retirement in 1993, he and his beloved wife Harriet, traveled the world together including trips/cruises to the Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii, Thailand, Russia and several European destinations including multiple visits to France to visit a close family friend, Jack and Harriet’s "adopted" French daughter, Florence Deltheil Rousseau.

Jack was a faithful member of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church for over 40 years. He served whole-heartedly on several committees, was ordained as a Deacon, and after Harriet passed away, became an instructor in their “Faith in Grief” Ministry. It had been devastating losing the love of his life, but he was determined to help others that were going through the same thing.

Jack lived his life in service to others. Whether it was his country, his church, or his community, Jack left a legacy of volunteering to do what was needed and what was right. Thank you, Dad, for always being there for us and for setting such an incredible example to follow. We love and will miss you Daddy-O!

A Funeral Service will be held at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson on Thursday November 21, 2019. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to one of the following causes/organizations that were all very important to Jack:

Alzheimer’s Association

Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church

Deaf Action Center

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network