Jack R. Anderson, 71, of McClure, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital.
Born Aug. 16, 1954, in Erie, he was the son of the late Richard Leroy Anderson and Leona Volgstadt Anderson Weaver.
Jack received his BS in Education from Edinboro University and his Masters in Gifted Education from The University of Connecticut.
He was an awarded teacher at the Mt. Morris School District, Mt. Morris, N.Y., Harrisburg City Schools, Harrisburg Pa., and was Master Teacher and Coordinator of Gifted Programs for the Mifflin County School District, Lewistown, Pa., where he served as PA State Director of the International Future Problem Solving Program. As an expert creative mentor, Jack led his ingenious teams to win First Place trophies at the International Competition several times.
Gregarious “Ramblin Jack”, is known for sharing his hilarious stories from traveling the world, backpacking across the US and Canada, The Appalachian Trail, The Grand Canyon, Northern Chile and Peru, just to name a few.
An avid walleye fisherman, Jack won several Lake Erie fishing competitions.
Jack was an accomplished guitar musician and composer and sang with numerous bands in Erie. Pa. He has been recognized as a Master Juggler around the world. He taught juggling classes at several universities and created the “Jack’s Mountain Production Company”, a group of students and adults who learned how to juggle and performed at community events.
Jack was proceeded in death by his beloved first wife, Debra Marie Tate Anderson and their sweet fur babies; Tionesta and SummerMay.
He is survived by his wife, Rozileide (Rozy) Maria Anderson; sisters; Vicki Lee Anderson Moore (Mark), of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Gae Anderson Miller, of Erie, Pa. Brother, James Leroy Anderson, of Campbell River, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Nieces; Kimberly Topping (Blain), of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Oakley Anderson Moore (Alex) and great-niece, Cascabelle, of Williams, Ariz. Nephews; Jesse Anderson (Kayla) and great-niece Ella Mae, of Victoria, British Columbia and Lee Anderson Golembiewski, of Fredonia, N.Y. Step-Sons; Mesaque, Mizael, and Marlon deSouza Olieveira and stepdaughter, Mayara deSouza Olieveira.
We want to mention the sweet Tate Family who embraced Jack as part of their own family and will miss him dearly.
Brother-in-laws; Jeff Tate (Connie), and John Tate (Pam). Sister-in-laws; Amy Collins (Donald), and Wanda Bailey (Robert). Nieces; Sammy McArdi (Tyler), Jullian Tate, Heather Wertz, Laurel Patton (Brian), and Robin Boreman (AJ). Nephews; Scott Tate (Amy), Joshua Tate (Brittany), and John Tate (Nicole).
Special mention and thank you to two of Jack’s precious friends, Tom Miller, of Calif. and musician, Joe Scutella, of Nashville, Tenn. who, over the years, traveled many miles together. The “Three Amigos” forever!
Finally, sweet blessings to Kevin Forshey and his friends and family who looked after Jack and Rozy, especially when they traveled the many times to Maceio, Brazil and back.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Home, Woodlawn, 200 N Main Street, Lewistown, PA on, followed by a service at 6 p.m.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hellerhoenstine funeralhome.com.