Jim Anderson

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

James Everett Anderson, known to most simply as Jim (and to a lucky few as Uncle Tubby) passed from this world on July 16, 2025. He was 64.

Born on August 24, 1960, in Webb City, Missouri at Jane Chinn Hospital, Jim was the second of three children born to Thomas Anderson and Gladys Tate. After the passing of his father, his mother later married George Tate, and the family moved to the rolling hills near Ava, Missouri. It was in Ava that Jim would eventually meet the love of his life, Carol Dixon, though their love story wouldn't take off until a bit later (he was patient, she was worth the wait).

After graduating from Ava High School, Jim joined the military and served with distinction as a Russian linguist in Augsburg, Germany. He often joked that he knew just enough Russian to confuse people at parties.

Once back home in Missouri, fate (and a well-placed letter delivered by his mother to Carol’s workplace) reunited him with Carol. She said yes to a date, and the rest, as they say, is history. They were married on October 10, 1986, and together they built a beautiful life filled with faith, laughter, and family. With Carol came two children, whom Jim loved as his own from day one, Juli and Thomas (affectionately known as Hondo). The family eventually made their way back to the Webb City area.

Though he wore many hats throughout his life, Jim always felt a calling to ministry. That calling led him to Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, where he and Carol took a leap of faith and built a new chapter. He graduated in 2006 and began his ministry at the Wellington Church of the Nazarene in Kansas as a youth pastor. Two years later, he accepted the role of Senior Pastor at the Anthony Church of the Nazarene, where he served faithfully until 2017. His time in both Wellington and Anthony was filled with purpose, joy, and community, he treasured those years.

After retiring from the pulpit, Jim returned to Joplin to be near family and stepped back into the role of layperson, though never far from the heart of ministry or service.

Jim had a rich and joyful spirit. He was a lover of music with an eclectic taste that spanned genres and decades. He was a connoisseur of cult classics. If you never heard him sing a song from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, impersonate Napoleon Dynamite, or quote a Mel Brooks movie, you missed out. He had a photographer’s eye and a poet’s heart, often capturing the quiet beauty of nature with his camera in hand.

He also had a deep appreciation for the little things in life, especially if they came in a green and white cup. Jim loved a good Starbucks coffee and took genuine joy in collecting mugs from locations near and far. Wherever he went, a Starbucks stop was never far behind (or ahead). His love for Starbucks was only rivaled by his love for his precious dog, Zoe.

He loved to laugh and loved even more to make others laugh. Whether writing skits for church, telling stories to friends, or just being his naturally entertaining self, Jim brought lightness and joy to those around him.

Jim was preceded in death by his father Thomas Anderson, his brother Tom Anderson, and his Dad, George Tate. 

He is survived by his devoted mother, Gladys Tate of Purcell, MO; his sister Debbie Adams (David) of Purcell, MO; his beloved wife, Carol Anderson of Joplin, MO; his children, Juli (Jeremy) Bradshaw of Marceline, MO, and Thomas (Jessica) Shockley of Hastings, FL; Wosbeli Perez of Wichita KS, and his grandson and pride and joy, Tanner Bradshaw of Marceline, MO. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who adored him, and who will no doubt carry on his legacy of laughter, kindness, and maybe a few Mel Brooks quotes.

Jim’s life was one of love, purpose, and great humor. He walked through the world with a twinkle in his eye and a deep faith in his heart. He will be missed more than words can express, but we take comfort knowing he’s now somewhere telling a great story, making someone laugh, and teaching the angels how to use a camera…or at the very least, a coffee pot.

Service
Thursday, July 24th, 2025 2:00pm
Calvary Church of the Nazarene
2802 Connecticut