Obituary
James Daniel Anderson Sr., 93 of Cape Coral passed away March 31, 2024, at the Hope Hospice House of Cape Coral.
J.D. as he was known was born January 14, 1931, to Henry and Bertha Anderson. He went to school in Collinsville, IL, graduating from Collinsville High School. He attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. He received his BS and later his master’s in physical education.
J.D. excelled in sports. He received 12 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and track. While attending Eastern Illinois University, he earned 9 varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. In 1987, J. D. was inducted Eastern Illinois Athletic Hall of Fame. Baseball was his passion. After college, he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies and played center field for Terre Haute in the Three-I league. He also played for the Canadian League. Army Duty interrupted his professional baseball career. He did lead Fort Sam Smith Houston (Texas) to the 4th Army Championship. He went on to play for another Phillies Farm Team in North Carolina. It was there that an arm injury ended his budding pro career. J.D. went he was on to coach baseball. His Key West Florida High School Baseball team won two consecutive Florida State Championships in 1958 and in 1959. After brief coaching stints (baseball and cross country) at Eastern and Northern Illinois. J.D. went to the University of Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls. He was Head baseball coach for 19 years. His teams won several North Central Conference Championships. In addition, he was twice named NCAA Coach of the Year. He was also Head Women’s Basketball Coach for 4 years at UNI. In 1981-82 his team won a school record 23 games.
J.D. served with the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
He met his first Wife Milly in college. J.D. and Milly adopted a daughter and a son. Family was the highlight of J.D.’s life. He Cherished his Children and Grandchildren. He was proud of all their accomplishments. Milly passed away in 1989. After Milly’s passing, J.D. met the love of his life, Elaine. They shared 32 wonderful years. After retirement, they moved to Florida. Happy to be away from those cold Iowa winters. J.D. and Elaine had 30 wonderful years in Cape Coral. They enjoyed each other fully.
J.D. was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Bertha, two brothers, Eugene and Leon; sisters; Mildred, Lynette, and Norma Jean and wife, Milly and son, Jim,
He is survived by His Wife, Elaine; children, Lisa (Eric) Swaney, and children, Jordan (Dakota), Noah and Isaac of Charles City, IA; Daniel (Jennifer) Reich and children, Daniel Jr., Jonah and Abraham of Sherrill, Iowa, Scott Bergmann of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mike Bergmann Cambridge, Iowa.
A Celebration of Life will be held a later date in Iowa.
J.D.’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the Hope Hospice House Staff for their loving care in his final days.
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