John LeRoy Anderson

Estacada resident, John LeRoy Anderson died peacefully in his home watching John Wayne movie marathon with his son. He was 87. The son of Arval and Trella Anderson. John grew up in Kansas. He was married to the love of his life, Shirley Joanne Scherz in 1955, in Davenport, Iowa and they made their home in Iowa before moving to Oregon in 1961. John was drafted in the Army in 1957and was an expert rifleman. He worked as a machinist for the Oregonian for 37 years before retiring. The Oregonian supported his taking machinist classes from Portland Community College. He received an associate’s degree in machinery.

John enjoyed riding motorcycles and he and his friends founded the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club in Portland. He served as president several times. He was an avid hunter, having hunted both deer and elk. He was also a member of the Black Powder Gun club in Barlow and went on rendezvous with the club.

John moved from Portland to Estacada where he met and married Pat Cheek in 1995. Together they owned and operated the Sun Hill Farms Smooth-Gaited Horses in Estacada. They bred world champion Missouri Fox trotters. They were members of the Territorial Riders Club. He was an avid horseman and a cowboy at heart. He also rode with the Old Coots on Skoots motorcycle club in Estacada. His beloved wife, Shirley, tragically died in 1993. He was also preceded in death by his daughter; Tonja in 1994, wife; Patricia "Pat" in 2011;and son, Todd in 2020.

He is survived by his children; Dean Anderson of Portland, Scott A. (Sharon) Anderson of Molalla, Terri (Tony) Anderson of Florida and Craig (Marcia) (Jennifer) Anderson of Estacada; grandchildren; Jason A. (April) Anderson, Scott J. Anderson, (Seana (Peter) Anderson, Anthony R. Lunday, Christopher L. Lunday, Dillon B. Maddox, Kristina M. Anderson, Emily J. Anderson, Benjamin S. Anderson, Travis A. Anderson, Trevor A. Anderson, Timothy (Shelbi), Alisha (Jason) McGhee, Joshua A. Anderson; and 14 great grandchildren.

Funeral service with military honors will be Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 3:00 pm at the Estacada Funeral Chapel, a reception will follow. Private family committal will be at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland. Memorial contributions may be made to: Zeb’s Wish Equine Sanctuary, 34950 SE Colorado Rd. Sandy, OR 97055 please visit : www.Zeb’s wish.org