John R. Anderson passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 16, 2025. John, Johnny, or “Droop” as he was called, was born in St. Ignace, Michigan to Newell “Andy” and Arlyne (Chatelle) Anderson. Shortly after, they packed up their bags and headed to Bluefield, West Virginia, a place John had very fond memories of. During grade school his family packed up again and headed to Florida, where he would grow up in “old” Punta Gorda, raising cane with all his buddies and working in the paving business for his dad. He called it “Black Gold”. In the summertime he would vacation in St. Ignace with his grandma and grandpa Chatelle who owned the local newspaper,

“The Republican News”. He made many friends up in the YOOP. Then John joined the army where he was a proud airborne ranger. He was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone jumping out of helicopters in the jungle. After approximately 3 years he left and went to college in Northern Florida (GO GATORS!) He loved them so. He returned to Punta Gorda and joined the paving business again and met his wife Rachel. They had 4 children together, Julie, Squiby, Johnny and Dillon. Later in life he would move to Blairsville, Georgia, where he continued working in the paving business for years. Then his luck hit again and he reminisced with an old friend (Ann Marie) who loved oysters too! They had some great times together going back and forth from Michigan to Florida. John was an avid historian of Punta Gorda and St. Ignace. His roots are very deep in these cities. Later in life he took up air boating and was addicted. Oh! How much he loved that boat! He will be missed tremendously for his music playlist, patrolling in G2B (where he was known as “Sheriff”), his bonfires (of course), his dancing skills, and the best gift of GAB!

He is survived by his children, Julie (Ryan) Dewald, Rachel “Squiby” Anderson, Johnny (Virginia) Anderson, Dillon Anderson, his beautiful grandchildren, 4 brothers, Newell “Spike”, Mark and Scott Anderson and Michael Massaway and his lucky companion Ann Marie Bishop.

Cremation will take place and a celebration of his Life will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 2pm in the Ranchettes (Jones Loop Side)

8441 Strasse Blvd. Punta Gorda, Florida 33982.

Another Celebration of his Life will be in the summer of 2025 in St. Ignace, Michigan (details to come later), where he will be laid to rest next to his mother and grandparents, in the Lakeside Cemetery. Overlooking the Big Mac.

Rest Easy on a Whiskey Saturday Night

Memorial Keepers (2)

John Rudolph Anderson