James Roland Anderson

James grew up in Puducah, Kentucky and Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Irene Anderson, had a difficult first marriage to his father, John P. Snead. The marriage ended in divorce. Because of financial difficulties, she decided to send James to Puducah, Kentucky to live with his aunt and uncle, Lula Dawson and Artise R. Dawson until she could obtain employment and save enough money to adequately provide for James. His mother found work as a seamstress in one of Chicago’s sewing factories. James was about 7 years old when he returned to Chicago to live with his mother. His mother later met and married, Harry J. Anderson. Harry legally adopted James. His name was changed from James R. Snead to James R. Anderson.

James attended Chicago public schools. He graduated from Du Sable High School on Chicago’s south side. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was awarded the Victory Medal and American Area Campaign Medal. He received a honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946. After military service James studied medical and dental x-ray technique at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and finally completing his studies in that field at Chicago College of Laboratory Technique. He became a certified Roentgenograher in 1947. Unfortunately, he was unable to find employment in that field in the United States because of color barriers. Many blacks, at that time, had to seek employment outside their chosen profession. He went on to study Communication Art at Columbia College in Chicago, Illinois. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949. He did some work in radio announcing for a brief time. Finally, he decided he needed to choose a field that would provide more permanent employment. A field that would always be in demand and that was crime and punishment, so his career in Law Enforcement had its beginning. During this period of finding his career path, he met and married Georgia Mae Anderson. From this union, he had two daughters, Irene F. Cobb and Denise A. Bransford. After several years, his marriage to Georgia ended in divorce

In 1973 James remarried. His current wife, Dianna Z. Anderson, had no children from this union. During his marriage to Dianna he continued to work in Law Enforcement and continued his education. He attended John Marshall Law School in the evening. He graduated and was finally promoted to Deputy Chief Adult Probation Officer for the Circuit Court of Cook County. During his tenure as Deputy Chief, he and Honorable Judge Earl E. Strayhorn help establish a program to assist ex-offenders to find employment with major companies in the Chicago area. James went to companies and asked them to commit to hiring at least ten ex-offenders a year. They would select the best and the brightest for the program. The program was a success and helped to reduce the number of repeat offenders. James and the Judge received notoriety for the program’s success.

James also worked with the Restaurant Hotel & Bartenders International Labor Union Local #129. This union included the school lunchroom employees, which was James’ focus of organization. He became one of the top organizers for school lunchroom employees in the country. He took a leave of absence from Law Enforcement to pursue this career. After a few years, he returned to Law Enforcement. James always wanted to help improve the lives for the less fortunate in our society. He felt that if he could achieve that for anyone that had desire and ambition, our society would improve little by little, like throwing a pebble in the water and watching the rippling effect.

James enjoyed several good retirement years of golfing, swimming, traveling and classic jazz concerts around town. Unfortunately, in later years because of health problems, he became more reclusive, but through it all we will always remember the guy we called “Jim or Jimmy” wearing his cap with a winning smile. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Dianna Z. Andersons, of 39 years, his two daughters, Irene F. Cobb, Denise A. Bransford, his son-in-law, Don Edward Bransford, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends.