John Anderson Obituary

John L. Anderson passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of Thursday, March 20, 2025. John was air lifted to Emory University Hospital on Saturday, February 22nd with a bleed/small mass on his brain. Upon arriving it was also discovered that he had a blood clot on his carotid artery. He spent 22 days at Emory. Then honoring John's wishes to be at his favorite place, “home,” in front of his fireplace and TV. We were able to make that happen and got him home on Sunday, March 16. For all of you who have followed John's fight and prayed for him since the fall of 2021 he was able to come through some very scary and difficult health battles. He survived a dissected aortic aneurysm and blockage in his carotid arteries November 2021. A year later he had a blood infection that had traveled to the pocket around his aorta, and had 2 major surgeries one day apart at Emory and was able to come home after being hospitalized for 80 days. As you can see John was a fighter and never gave up. He knew that prayers and the love of God are what strengthened and guided him. Those in the medical field were truly astonished at everything he had been through and many nicknamed him the "unicorn" because they just didn't see this every day! We appreciate the great care that was provided to John by all of the staff from the Willson Hospice House, and them being with us through this extremely difficult time.

His service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at First Freewill Baptist Church. The visitation will be from 10 am - 11 am with the service immediately following visitation.  Rev. Mark Walker and Chaplain Joey Holland will officiate.

John was born and raised in Albany, Georgia. He was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church. He graduated from Westover High School in 1976. He received a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Georgia. He hurt his shoulder and subsequently came home to play at Chipola College in Marianna, FL. He worked with his father's roofing company before leaving Albany and traveling to Houma, Louisiana to work in the oil field for 8 years. He then returned home and attended Albany State University and received his Business Administration degree. He then began his real estate career. He obtained his real estate license in 1989 and his broker license several years later. He opened his own real estate company, Anderson & Associates Realty, in 1997. He was Realtor of the Year in 2000 and was the President of the Albany Board of Realtors in 2001. He loved real estate and property management. He managed his own properties for years until he later had DoLee take over to assist him. He greatly appreciated everything they have done, especially when he got sick. His nephew, Russ, is responsible for the daily repairs and operations for his properties. John was very proud of his nephew and the role he had taken in the last few years. John was an extremely smart businessman and entrepreneur and due to all his hard work and investments was able to retire and take a step back from real estate over 10 years ago. John and Wendy loved to travel and spend time in New Orleans and the beach.

He was preceded in death by his father Russell L. Anderson and his brother David Russell Anderson, Sr. He is survived by his wife Wendy Wood Anderson of Albany, GA. They have been together for almost 27 years. He gave her much credit the last few years for the great care she provided and the teamwork they had together to make these last few years so special! He is survived by his mother, Ruby Jean Anderson of Albany, GA, a sister Jenny Anderson Sledge, Albany GA, three nephews and a niece, David Russell "Russ" (Brittany) Anderson, Jr. of Lee County, GA, Christopher Ryan Anderson of Albany GA, Amanda Sledge Cauley, Lee County, GA and David Sledge Jr. (Mellanie) of Lee County, and many great nephews and nieces.

Those desiring may make memorials to First Free Will Baptist Church, Willson Hospice House and Emory University Hospital on Clifton Road.