James Ralph ‘J.R.’ Anderson

James Ralph “J.R.” Anderson was born on February 21, 1941, in Mammoth, Ozark County, Missouri, to Mack Anderson and Eunice “McNeil” Anderson. He passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026. J.R. was the youngest of five children, the last of his generation.

J.R. went to school in Mammoth, graduated from Gainesville High School and then served in the U.S. Army at Fort Ord, California. J.R. returned to Mammoth and became a carpenter with his brother, Frank Anderson. J.R. built homes in Ozark, and Baxter County for over 20 years. Then, J.R. worked for Ozark County Gas for 23 years. He never met a stranger.

J.R. met the love of his life, Sandra Kay Edwards, at a drive-in at Mountain Home, Arkansas, on November 22, 1963, the evening of JFK’s assassination. They were married that next year on August 21, 1964. They had one son, Vincent Scott Anderson, in September of 1965. In 1992, a little boy, Timothy “Tim” Anderson, walked into J.R. and Sandra‘s life and became their next cherished son.

J.R. and Sandra came to faith in Jesus together on January 1, 1965, and they were both baptized in Possum Walk Creek. J.R. became a song leader, deacon, Royal Ranger commander and a Sunday school superintendent at the Mammoth Assembly of God Church. Years later, he became a song leader and deacon at the Mountain Home 1st Assembly of God Church.

J.R. loved family gatherings and reunions, a fresh mowed yard, reading his Bible, camp meetings, tent revivals, brush arbor meetings, special singings and Southern gospel music.

J.R. loved serving as a carpenter on mission trips to Alaska, Mexico, and Venezuela. He also enjoyed serving in jail and prison ministry in Arkansas and Louisiana. He lived the Gospel.

J.R. never met a stranger, loved telling stories, and he was known for his love of singing old gospel hymns.

J.R. is preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Kay Anderson; parents, Mack and Eunice Anderson and his siblings, Frank Anderson, Berman Anderson, Jerel Mack Anderson, and Phyllis “Anderson” Long. 

J.R. is survived by two sons, Vincent (Michelle) Anderson and Timothy (Molly) Anderson and four grandchildren, Alexander (Maddie & great granddaughter this April) Anderson, Alysa Anderson, Macy Anderson and Tinsley Anderson. J.R. loved all of his many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 7 p.m. at Conner Family Funeral Home Chapel. The family received friends from 5 p.m. until service time. 

The family requests no flowers but instead donations, in honor of J.R. Anderson, to Ozark Center of Hope, 312 West North Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653. 

Arrangements are by Conner Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center. An online guestbook and obituary are available at www.connerfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Printed as submitted.