John was born in Quincy, Fl to Evelyn Anderson. John graduated from Blake high school and quickly decided he wanted to serve his country; he joined the US Army from 1965-1968.  John was a member of First Baptist Church of College Hill and later became a devoted member of New Millennium Community Church with his wife, Virginia. In his free time John was an avid fisherman, enjoying the quiet of the water. He also enjoyed grilling, and spending time with family and friends.

John was preceded in death by mother, Evelyn Anderson; daughter, Adrian Anderson; brother, Anthony Anderson; grandson, Kivon Johnson; nephew, Zyquise Darby.

He leaves cherished memories to his loving wife, Virginia Anderson; children, John Anderson, Jr. (Kim), Kissha Fields, Michael Anderson, Sonya Dudley, Robert Dudley, Jermaine Davis, and Ariel Turner (Jessie); grandchildren, Jaron Anderson, Rashad Peters, Jamaal Anderson, Tariq Allen, Deivonni Harris (Wyndell), Davion Berry (Junito), Xavier Anderson, Vashon Johnson, and Kayson Singletary; great-grandchildren, Kaliah Anderson, Kamya Anderson, Jaron Anderson, Jr., Sophia Anderson, Amir Anderson, Isabella Anderson, Jayce Anderson, and Tamir Harris; sister, Linda Larry; nephew, Dewon; niece, Tranda Bevel; cousins, Ethel Frederick, Evelyn Alexis, Kelvin Haygood, Canary Williams (Monica), Lila Bradley, Terrell Bass, and many more; god-children, Theo Robinson, Angela Claypool, Nicole Miller-Rocque, Lafawn Leek, Troy Bexley, and Timothy Stewart; devoted friends, Charles Marshall, Barbara Hills, Alex Baker (Mary), John Sheard, West Hudson, Willie White, Mike Motin, Vergil Breaker, Leroy Trotman, Leroy Hayes, John Ford, Norris Collins, Willie B. McDaniels, Henry Anderson, Clayton Anderson, Rodney Moody, Ken Anthony, Gloria Sterrex, Trenicha Engram,, Lashonda Engram, Sabrina Engram, Gil and Alex Delgado, Carol Jones, Alfredia Davis, Charles Thornton, Paulette Suber, Maurice Bryant, Tasha Suber, Charles Bryant, Ellis Ricks, Frankie Nelson, John Shuler, along with a host of other friends and neighbors.