James Joseph Anderson

A graveside service at Fort Jackson National Cemetery will be held for James Joseph Anderson on Friday, January 23, 2026. Father Guzman of Saint Joseph Catholic Church (Chester) will officiate. A Christian Mass dedicated to James will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Catholic Church (110 W. End Street, Chester, SC   29706) at 12:30 pm on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Mr. Anderson, 81, of Chester, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

James was born to Elmer and Catherine Murphy Anderson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Christmas Eve in 1944. He graduated from Abington High School in Philadelphia, PA.  James joined the United States Navy where he served 4 years and then joined the Air Force reserves for 2 years. After leaving the Navy, James worked as a machinist while he earned a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He worked as an engineer in many fields including Bell Helicopter, Westinghouse, Monarch Machinery, Everham Motorsports, and Rosch Yates Racing. James was also self-employed at his own firm, Southeastern N/C services. He retired from Engineering after more than 50 years.

James was a loving husband, an amazing father, and a loving example for his grandchildren.

James loved swimming. He earned many medals and was a champion swimmer while serving in the Navy. One highly-prized trophy that James received for swimming was the Commander's Trophy, which he won in 1966.  James loved starting woodworking projects. He also liked to watch and discuss politics. James had a love for animals and always had a smile on his face.

James is survived by Roslyn Greene Anderson, his loving wife of 57 years (He married the girl in the yellow dress.); his children, Regina (Gina) Chapman (Donald "Donnie") of York, SC, Jeremy Anderson (Erin) of Salisbury, NC, and Caren Wallace (Thomas "Tom") Wallace of Chester, SC; and his grandchildren, Rayland Anderson, Reagan Anderson, Corey Wallace, Cassady Wallace, and Anthony Chapman. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you make a donation to a veterans' charity in James’s memory.