John Theodore Anderson, Jr.'s Obituary
Anderson, John T- Prominent, talented, and well known Bay Area artist, muralist, designer and sign painter, at the age of 76 died April 29, 2006, at his home in Oakland, after a long and valiant struggle with cancer. John was born in Oakland and graduated from California College of Arts and Crafts in the late 1940's. He worked with his father, John T. Sr., Chief Engineer, as a Jr. Engineer at Matson Lines, and won the annual Roadster show with a roadster he built and designed. That roadster helped start the practice of pin striping cars. He designed logos for race cars, boats, trucks, doors and buildings. Volunteering to paint sets for his children's public school was just one way John helped out the community. His selfless giving to others was inspirational. He was a founding member of Tiny Tot's nursery school in the 1950's, the first co-op school in Oakland, along with Dave Brubeck and others. Earlier in John's career he designed logos, such as The Food Mill, and show cards for the Grand Lake, The Paramount, Roxie and Fox Theaters. He worked for Merrill Signs until he began his own solo business, John Anderson Signs, in the early 60's. The mural on his shop off Interstate 80 greeted cars at the Fruitvale exit for years. His business grew and moved to San Pablo Ave in 1975. He painted all of the City of Oakland's signs and logos, as well as many well-known Oakland and San Francisco landmarks, offices and restaurants. Painting the original mural outside Tommy's Joynt in San Francisco, he was quoted in the SF Chronicle saying, 'all I want to do is take the gray out of the world.' His colorful and beautiful artwork include: the Wax Museum, Boudin's, and the first painted album covers outside Tower Records in San Francisco. He painted and designed for Bill Graham Presents, record companies, and theaters. In Oakland he designed and painted the Saw Mill, Cybelles' Pizza, Peet's Coffee, Bekins Moving Company signs, sets for the Nutcracker at the Paramount Theater and much more. His work appeared throughout the Bay Area and the State of California. He painted and designed rolling light signs at Harrah's Reno. His interests were his family and his artwork. For several years he drove an old ambulance he converted to a paint truck. John could always be found at the shop or home working. His work was his passion. He designed and made all the furniture for his large Oakland home and designed and built a house in the mountains. He relaxed taking skiing and beach trips, relaxing by his pool, and going to the Oakland Athletic Club, where he could be often be found taking a nap in the afternoon. He is survived by his wife Melody Anne; his children Linda Schreiber of Alamo, Debra Murphy of Chico and Mark Anderson of Sausalito; his sister Senny Beale of Sonoma and family; grandchildren Tommy, Jeremy, Brooke, Linsey, Kylie, Addy and Andrea; and five great-grandchildren AJ, Rene, Damien, Angelina and Tatiana. Services will be held at Chapel of the Chimes in Oakand on May 10 at 10 am. Visitation will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes from 5 to 8 pm on May 9.
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