James Walter Anderson, age 91 of, Idabel, Oklahoma, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at Oakwood Villa Nursing Home in Altoona, WI.

"Jimmie" as he was known most of his earlier life, was born May 18, 1920 at Idabel, Oklahoma, the eldest son of Osborne Anderson and Ida McKinney Anderson of the Choctaw Nation of the Five Civilized Tribes. Osborne Anderson, a full blood Choctaw member, was an Indian interpreter in the legal department. Osborne had a special opportunity to enter Kansas University to study Law but instead, remained a legal clerk. He married a beautiful Choctaw maiden named Ida McKinney and set up a homestead in the dense woods of Clearwater, OK. James Walter was the second oldest child of a family of five including Esther, James, Evelyn, Erwin and Samuel. James' early life was unique because he had to raise his brothers and sisters as an orphan upon the tragic deaths of his father and dear mother, Ida. James spent harsh winters and summers living in a one room handmade Choctaw hut, caring for his sisters and brothers who depended on him for their food and sustenance. They hunted and trapped by handmade snares and earth traps for rabbits, using pierced-forked sticks for snakes and frogs. Lacking proper clothing, without shoes, their native hut was nevertheless, home.

Their lives were greatly influenced by the kindness of neighborly missionaries who had realized the plight of little James and his family. Unable to keep enough food and with cold weather approaching, the neighbor lady put soups out on the edge of the woods to try to lure the Anderson children out. James knew the price of being caught but he had to have help. At that time, James never had seen a non-native person before. He and his family only spoke their Chahta language. A kind lady named "Ma Sausmann" raised them and her Southern cooking became an absolute must for James for the rest of his life.

James attended Jones Academy, an all boys school at the time, established by the Choctaw Nation. He graduated from Haskell Indian Boarding School, where he met his long time sweetheart Iris Minnie (Quaderer) Johnson. James studied to be an electrician at Haskell and was very active in sports where he participated in AAU football, basketball, track and field. He was recognized as a very successful athlete and his records in shot put and javelin are still highlighted in the records of Haskell University even today.

James served the Coast Guard for 3 years before enlisting in the U. S. Army in 1940 and served until 1945. James was certified as a motor boat operator and served in the Calvary and served as 50 cal. Machine gunner in the Pacific Theater in New Guinea receiving the AP Service Ribbon and Bronze Service Star. James was very proud to be a veteran of Foreign Wars and of service to his county.

After the war, James moved to Chicago with his sweetheart Iris where they were married October 4, 1947. After marrying, James was very determined that his new wife learn how to cook "Southern" and so he would drive Iris down south several times a year where Ma Sausmann would teach Iris the finer points of good old fashioned southern cooking. James also loved barbecue and knew where every black owned BBQ joint was located and it was his love for old fashioned real pit barbeque that gave his son David his direction in life to create Famous Dave's Legendary Barbeque.

James joined the Electrical Workers' Local 134 of Chicago March of 1948. James was the first minority to become a member of what was basically an all-Irish union at the time. He was very active in his electrical union and served as a union steward. James retired Senior Foreman at the Sears Tower, December 31, 1982 after 35 years. James was proud to be one of the few men that didn't think twice about crawling up those tall towers at the Hancock Building and at the Sears building. Other major projects included the Arlington Park Racetrack, Merchandise Mart, Old Orchard Mall, and he helped hang the massive chandelier at the Watertower Place. After retiring, James and Iris moved up the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation on Little Round Lake. James loved going to the Senior Citizen lunches at Reserve with Iris. Even though he was a Choctaw Indian, he was embraced and fondly remembered by the membership of LCO.

While living in Chicago, James and Iris were helpful in the founding of the American Indian Center in Chicago and were life long supporters. James also served as a Deacon at Moody Memorial Church in Chicago and had many friends in the American Indian ministries. James cared deeply for the welfare of Indian people and spent many evenings at the Pacific Garden Missions where he would counsel and work with Indians struggling with alcohol addictions. James and Iris working with Duane and Loretta (brother to Eugene) Begay were instrumental in starting the First American Indian Bible Church in Chicago. James was a hard-working man who often worked weekends and took on extra jobs to take care of his family.

James' wife Iris went to be with her Lord and Savior May 17, 2011 and he is survived by his loving children David (Kathy) of Round Lake, Philip of Little Round Lake, Rebecca (Rick) St. Germaine, The Boulevard; grandchildren, James (Colleen) of Edina, Minnesota, Timothy of Minneapolis, Rick and Mark of Lac Courte Oreilles; loving great grandchildren, Cooper and Miles, nieces, nephews and many other dear family members.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 6 at Signor Assembly of God Church in Couderay, Wisconsin. Rev. Gordon Thayer will officiate. Burial will be alongside his loving wife Iris at the Whitefish Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 5 at the Signor Church and again from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service on Friday at the church.

Casket bearers will be James Anderson, Timothy Anderson, Robin Diamond, Daniel Grover, Ricky St. Germaine and Mark St. Germaine.