John W. Anderson, a lifelong Seguin resident, passed away Wednesday at the age of 85. He was an Army veteran, retired Hexcel Corporation employee, local businessman and civic leader. Mr. Anderson was born July 25, 1927 in Seguin, the son of John and Essie Anderson. He graduated from Seguin High School in 1944. He married Dorothy Fowler of Belmont on November 26, 1944. They celebrated 68 years of marriage this year. Soon after he married, Mr. Anderson joined the Army, serving from 1944-1946. During his tour of duty, he was a military policeman at the atomic bomb laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. After the war, Mr. Anderson worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and the old flourmill in Seguin. In 1954, he joined Hexcel Corporation. Mr. Anderson retired in 1986 from Hexcel after 32 years with the local firm. When he left the company, he held the job title of foreman, overseeing the weaving operations. Upon retirement, Mr. Anderson pursued his passion for cattle and pecans. He raised cattle on his property east of Seguin and harvested, shelled and sold pecans locally. For many years, Mr. Anderson and his wife Dorothy operated Anderson Pecans, a wholesale and retail business, buying from local orchards and selling fresh pecans to people all over the country. During his career, Mr. Anderson served three-terms as president of the Guadalupe County Texas Farm Bureau. He also was active in the Texas Pecan Growers Association, serving two terms on the board. Locally, Mr. Anderson served two, four-year terms on the board of directors for the Luling Foundation Farm. He was also a member of the Seguin Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club. Although he had many successes in the business and civic arena, he counted his five children, 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren as his greatest fortune. Mr. Anderson is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and their five children: Buster Anderson and wife Karen, David Anderson and wife Ruth and Tommy Anderson and wife Nancy, all of Seguin; and, Mary Hall and husband Robert of Houston and Dianna Roy and husband Drew of San Antonio. In addition he is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Anderson was preceded in death by his sister Lola Deharde and brother Pleas Anderson, both of Seguin. Visitation is scheduled for 5 p.m.-to-7p.m. Friday, December 7, 2012 at the Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Drive. Funeral services have been set for 1 p.m. Saturday, December 8, 2012 at Cross Church, 814 N. Bauer in Seguin. Rev. Jim Price and Rev. Jeremy Roy will preside. Interment will follow in San Geronimo Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be, John David Anderson, Rob Anderson, Brent Anderson, Dean Roy, Derek Roy and Aaron Krause. Honorary pallbearer will be Robert William Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Mr. Anderson can be made to Alzheimer's Association San Antonio and South Texas. The address is 7400 Louis Pasteur, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX, 78229 or online at alz.org or to Cross Church, 814 N. Bauer, Seguin, Texas, 78155.