John J. Anderson

Age 62, passed away at his home January 16, 2025. He was born June 17, 1962, in Lansing, Michigan, to John and Bonnie Anderson. John was involved in the martial arts since he was 12 years old, and owned Anderson’s Karate Dojo in Holt for 14 years. During his lifelong dedication to the martial arts, he earned several honors and ranks, including Shorin-ryu Shorinkan 6th Dan, Renshi license, Iki Shin Do 5th Dan, Goju Kai Goju Ryu 5th Dan, Taekwondo 3rd Dan, and Ryukyu Kobudo 6th Dan. John was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, and followed his passion for wildlife and habitat management, starting his own business, Conservation Connections, in 2010.
John’s enthusiasm was contagious in everything he did, allowing him to build long standing community in both the martial arts and his business. After meeting John, people often remained lifelong friends. John was a dedicated father and husband, and a fierce advocate for those he loved and cared for.
John is survived by his wife of 33 years, Rosemary Anderson; daughters, Marie (David) Strickland and Alyse Anderson; son, Gary Newton; granddaughter, Nora Strickland; sister, Becky Black, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. .
John’s family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025. A memorial service will be at the funeral home at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025.
7 Messages to “John J. Anderson”
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Tom Ham
January 18, 2025 at 1:48 pmJohn was a good friend back in the day. He was a martial artist and well respected for his knowledge in the martial arts
Stephen Coon
January 19, 2025 at 4:42 pmJohn was a great teacher and a nice friend of mine. I didn’t know him really super well but he did a lot of nice things for a lot of people. He had a heart of gold.
Victor Charlie aka Coleman
January 21, 2025 at 11:14 amJohn was an amazing man. I first met him in the early 80s. We immediately became good friends. We shared so many great times hunting and fishing all over the state. He was a huge part of my life I will always cherish the times we shared together. He felt so blessed to have such an incredible wife and was so proud of his daughters. I love you John, we will see each other again my friend
Joe bell
January 24, 2025 at 11:05 amMe and John grew up a norburn way along with many other neighborhood. Friends the Anderson’s house was always full of things to do.
Me and John went skiing a lot All over michigan Among other activities like ice fishing on the titabowasi, very scary.
Or trying to shoot my first buck John was quite the accomplished journeyman of the outdoors.
His life for the outdoors was on Ementice John will be greatly missed.
He is loved by the whole bell family. God bless John.
Melissa (Abrahamson) Wright and Todd Wright
January 25, 2025 at 12:09 pmMet John and his family at Thanksgiving quite a few years back at the Cassis home. I enjoyed the time we all spent getting to know one another for the first time. I could see that John was the heart and soul and strength of his loving and beautiful family. He fought a good fight (cancer) and he no longer has to live in pain. He was loved and admired by all. He will be missed.
Jan
January 30, 2025 at 5:01 pmRose and family so very very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all.
Jeffrey Hoodhood
January 31, 2025 at 8:54 amSimply put….John was our friend, our dear brother and everyone in Grand Rapids loved him and respected him. He was the true definition of what a man is supposed to be. He will be missed so much by all his friends. With the greatest respect, Jeff Hoodhood.