“What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch. We may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget" 

Linda, you and Jon had a love story that only a few people ever experience. I feel so blessed to have met Rebecca and to experience a small bit of your wonderful life together. Jon was a gem and he inspires me to live a little bit harder.     Love, Julie





Dear Rebecca,

I knew so much about your father through you.  I knew that you were blessed with one of those very rare types of Dads...the kind that knew how to love and guide a daughter so she could venture out into the world. Then when the world got a little harsh, he knew how to call you back home for more love, comfort, guidance and light-hearted laughter that put the world back in perspective. 

Watching your parents together, I could see that your Mom was also blessed with that rare and special type of love and bond that some couples are lucky enough to have for so long - but not nearly long enough!

Your Dad was THAT man - the one every kid hopes to have as a father, every girl hopes to have as a husband and every one of us hopes to have as a friend.

A man like that leaves a void in your lives that can't be replaced. My heart breaks for you all and at the same time am happy you were all blessed to have him as a Dad, Husband, Grandfather and friend.
Love, 
Pat


                                                    
MARIO

It was the last day of duck season and neither of us were drawn from the lottery for early entry.  My father was drawn but it turned out he couldn't go.  Jon’s thought 'Why not modify Mario’s hunting license?!'  Well, it turned out that was the easy part. Now I had to make myself look like I was 5'10" tall and appear 30 years older than I was.  So, bent over and wearing a ski cap, we proceeded. Then it hit us - what if we were caught!?  Not only did we know at least ten guys in line, but without a permit we would be cuffed and put away for all to see. As it turned out, we got in and it was a great hunt with our two limits of ducks in one hour.

                                                                  
 DANGLING OVER THE EDGE

Jon out-fished me 90% of the time. One day we were fishing at Da Valle Reservoir.  I think both of the boys were with us, but am not sure.  Since Jon was catching all of the fish, I made him reel in and let us catch a few. He agreed, and with his pole in the boat it was now our turn.  NOT SO! Jon’s line was still dangling over the edge of the boat and yes, you got it, he caught the biggest fish of the day. 







THE WARDEN

We were on a fishing trip at Eagle lake and were in our first day of fishing (the limit was three fish each.) A game warden showed up at our camp and found we had seven fish in the ice chest (one was for dinner). The warden asked who caught the extra fish, and Jon tried to explain that we BOTH had hooked that fish and it was going to be our dinner. The warden, in disbelief,  gave us both a ticket. Tim and Mike agreed with the warden, until a few years later when they also double hooked a fish themselves.

                                                  
                                                       
I DRIVE FOR A LIVING

Jon, Gary and I had just arrived at Eagle Lake and Jon was backing up to put the boat in position for an early morning getaway.  Jon didn’t like the idea that Gary and I were trying to tell him how to maneuver the boat, and yelled out the window I DRIVE FOR A LIVING! Then we watched as he proceeded to back up and take out the fence that protected the cabin where we were staying (expletive deleted - ha!)




                                                                       

In memory of Jon, my best friend

The following are seven short stories from the 50 plus years of our adventures. 

The language has been scrubbed as not to offend anyone. For those of you that know me, you know I have never been accused of being politically correct. When Tim and my son, Mike, started hunting with us years ago, there wasn't much hunting gear available for kids. Their first waders were about as thin as a black garbage bag (in fact, they both ripped them on their first hunt.) Jon was very concerned for them since it was such a cold day, but when the ducks started flying Jon’s concern shifted to shooting ducks!  That day the boys became our hunting partners. Some of Jon’s and my favorite hunting memories began that day.


ONLY A HAT

Jon and I were hunting at Volta Wildlife Area (we had a special hunting area that we used.)  We had to walk 230 steps (in the dark of the morning) before we would take a sharp left to our special pond.  Well, at 150 steps Jon disappeared from my sight.  All  I could see was his hat laying on the ground!  But then the hat moved - Jon had fallen into a six foot hole.  Being uninjured, he quickly picked himself up and we continued on. It turned out to be a great hunt with two limits of ducks.


JESUS WAS  WITH US                                                

On a hunt to Merced Wildlife Area my back went out on me. Jon said if I would still go hunting with him, he would carry ALL of the decoys.  I was never one that would pass up such an invitation so off we went on our one mile hike. Right at first light I shot a Bull Spring, jumped out of the blind and retrieved the duck. He said he saw Jesus walking on water that day!




The death of a friend

Lord,  the death of my friend Jon has hit me doubly hard. Ours was a friendship built slowly over the years of shared experiences.  Friendship of this depth is never easily forgotten, and I find memories in many places. 

The untimely nature of Jon's death has made its impact upon me deeper and my sadness greater. I am aware of my own mortality.  Death seems to be so final in the world as we know it and all my religious beliefs in eternity falter a bit  when I come this close to death. 

I hope in Your omnipotence over death and the rewards of Your promised kingdom are the only consolations I can find to keep my faith and the faith of all who loved Jon strong.  Let us support and comfort one another.  Give us that same strength of consolation and understanding Your mother Mary must have received from your friend the apostle, John, when he held and consoled her at the time of your death.  

I ask you to grant eternal rest to Jon and the strength of Your Grace to all of us that remain.

Clint Walker shared with us this beautiful, original poem that he wrote for his own father's funeral service.  

A father is:

A father is a man who cares.
A father is a man who is fair.
A father is a man who listens.
A father is a man who is a man.
A father is a man who is strong.
A father is a man who is honest.
A father is a man who you admire.
A father is a man who pays the bills.
A father is a man who is consistent.
A father is a man who you look up too.
A father is a man who leads by example.
A father is a man who admits his errors.
A father is a man who will buy you a meal.
A father is a man who will hold your hand.
A father is a man who will praise your efforts.
A father is a man who will respect who you are.
A father is a man who makes a good grandfather.
A father is a man who you are proud to meet your friends.
A father is a man who will show his children how things work.
A father is a man who is not afraid of showing his emotions.
A father is a man who will love you regardless of what happens.
My father is such a man.


I am so sorry for the loss of your dad.  I always looked up to him and really enjoyed his company.  He was a role model, great son, father and grandfather.  He will be truly missed.

Rebecca - I am so sad. My heart is breaking for all of you. 

Let me just state the obvious-your dad was one of the very best dads ever.  He and your mom blew my mind when you moved into Cole Street. 
Lucinda and I were in awe that there they were helping you move in, dragging your big dresser up the steep, twisty stairway to your bedroom.  He was always so fun, kind-hearted, and full of love.  

And then whenever you were feeling sad, you’d go home and your mom and dad would take care of you. Your parents were the first parents I had ever known who were like that. You could just go snuggle back into the nest with them and sleep and eat and sleep again until you were ready to get back in the ring and fight the fight again. 

A really good human, that Jon Anderson. 
He will be missed. 

I’m sending all of my best love and caring to you and your mom (and to Emily,Tom, Tim, Michael….the family) AND I’m sending my best love to your dad too.   Love, Linda

Attended the funeral services on Friday. 
A beautiful sunny day. The type that would send Jon outdoors.
A lot of friends and relatives, of which I struggled to remember.
Linda looked loving and gracious as always.
Her daughter Rebecca is truly a blessing.
It's obvious Linda has the support she needs to carry on.
A compliment to the quality of Jon's home.
Got a chance to talk with Linda's son, Tim.
While he may look like he runs a Fortune 500 company, I got to tell him an old story about his grandfather, Jon's dad Willie.
Very funny but you'll have to ask him about it.
Quaint and pleasant reception followed later at Jon and Linda's home.
Years ago Jon told me the story of finding their home.
Not knowing witch house the realtor was driving them too.
On catching sight of the house, Jon said, "I hope it's that one!'
And yes it was that one. That's called love at first sight.
We should all be so lucky. And yeah, it's that kinda house.
Jon was my cousin. A finer man you'll never meet.
Especially when it comes to family.
He leaves one of the most stable families I've ever seen.
That's the silver lining of this tragedy. Tomorrow will be okay. 

Love you Jon. Miss you already.
Proud to be your cousin!

Linda, Rebecca, Tim and families -

My heart goes out to you at this time of loss. I am so very grateful to have had your Husband, Father and Grandfather in my life. One of his most meaningful statements to me (and there were many) was when he said quite simply, "Count your Blessings" - and as I trust you know, Jon was indeed that. 

A Blessing to all whom he touched! I thank you sincerely for sharing this great, humble, playful, loving, kind man with me. He, in his quiet way, tolerated me putting him on a pedestal, such was his greatness, such was his humility. We are blessed to have good people influence our lives and in doing so they make us better, the world becomes better. I will carry the stories, the legacy of Jon in my heart, my deeds and words until the time comes for me to lay down my own tools. Be at Peace my Brother, yours is a life well lived...always too short.

Prayer & Blessings, Dave

OBITUARY

Jon Minton Anderson

April 1, 1942 – February 3, 2018

Chapel of the Hills

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