John Douglas Anderson ’69 died April 11, 2015.
Former McMinnville businessman Doug Anderson’s eight-year dance with cancer ended on April 11, 2015. He was born March 11, 1947, in Hillsboro, Ore., the oldest child of Lloyd and Phyllis (Freeman) Anderson. He graduated from HIllsboro HIgh School in 1965 and earned a BA in Mathematics from Pacific Lutheran University in 1969 and an MST in Mathematics from Portland State University in 1971. Doug and Julia Svedsen married in 1969 and celebrated three special daughters. They later divorced. Doug taught mathematics at Clackamas High School for five years. In 1976, his parents, who owned a jewelry store in Hillsboro, bought the former Hanauer Jewelry store on Third Street. Doug managed the store and then became a third-generation owner of Anderson Bros. Jewelers. He was twice named “retailer of the year” and enjoyed his work life on “the gut!” He closed the store in 1999. After a four-year early retirement, working part-time at the post office and preparing tax returns, he was hired by the McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce as Office Manager/Bookkeeper, a position he filled until retirement in 2013.
Doug was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, now part of McMinnville Cooperative Ministries, where he served on the Church Council and sang in both the choir and worship teams. Proud of his Lutheran heritage and PLU lineage, he never missed a chance to tweak Linfield athletic supporters. He did, however, solicit pledges to Linfield’s “Partners in Progress” campaign for many years. Doug also was active in the noon Rotary Club, serving as President in 1983-84. His interests were varied: In his younger years he loved to backpack with family and friends; in later years he enjoyed the RV lifestyle. Golf was a “constant” for Doug for over 50 years; sometimes he even played well. He read extensively, especially mystery and thriller novels. Music, especially Christmas music, gave him much pleasure.
In December 2001, Doug and Beverly Willbanks were married. Bev was a supportive partner through his long illness and performed with grace and loving concern. Doug was predeceased by his parents. Survivors include wife Beverly; daughters Marnie Anderson (Michael Bishop), Krista Fairley (Grant) and Jennifer Begun (David); stepdaughters Trisha Wilbanks and Sandra Wilbanks; brother Rich Anderson; and sister Kathy Caba. He was blessed with three granddaughters: Macy Anderson Lee, Maren Anderson Bishop and Hannah Anderson Begun, and finally a grandson, Owen Douglas Fairley. Doug’s oddball sense of humor and joy in making people laugh will be missed.
