Jon Harmon Anderson maintained an innate sense of balance while serving his family, friends, community, profession of law, and clients with grace, dignity, and effectiveness throughout his life. Jon was a loyal and ardent advocate with a broad array of talents, skills, and common sense.

It is impossible to trace the source of Jon’s uncanny moral compass and the balance he seemed to effortlessly maintain. Like his parents, Jon was born and raised in the small town of Ft. Meade, FL. He was the second of three sons born to an insurance executive and citrus grower, Hugh Anderson, and his wife, Elizabeth Strickland. Jon worked in the groves, participated in Boy Scouts and church activities, played three sports in high school, served as student council president, and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and boating. Jon developed a love for the area, for his fellow man, and for the outdoors and environment. Jon’s appreciation and enthusiasm for the blessings of his life made him a great friend and companion.

Jon loved his country and developed into a prime candidate for the Infantry branch while at West Point. Indeed, he volunteered for the 25th Infantry Division, then stationed in RVN, for his first assignment. Two tragedies derailed Jon’s career plans. Early in his First Class year, Jon’s father died, leaving Elizabeth to care for the family business and for Jon’s brother Bruce, who was in high school. A year later, while Jon was at Ft. Benning for Airborne, Ranger, and branch training, Bruce unexpectedly died. Jon’s sense of responsibility and concern for his grieving mother led him to seek a hardship transfer to MacDill AFB in Tampa, about an hour from the family, before receiving a hardship discharge in 1972. These selfless acts were automatic for Jon, although few classmates could identify with the forethought of a son who would sacrifice his career to protect his mother from the risk of having another loved one in harm’s way.

While in Tampa, Jon encountered and was smitten by Betsy Baluk, a Cleveland girl living in Florida after graduating from the University of Miami. Jon had never met anyone like Betsy, and they were an ideal match. They agreed on important and fundamental values, and they respected each other’s opinions. Most of all, they loved each other and loved being, working, and playing together. Jon and Betsy married in 1972, and daughters Sloan Kathryn and Devon Elizabeth were born in 1975 and 1978, respectively. Jon was close to his daughters and passed on his respect for his fellow man and the environment, and taught them to love life, camping, and fly fishing. He also taught them to stand up for themselves and the oppressed. Fittingly, Sloan became an accomplished coastal environmental professional and Devon a social work professional.

After marrying Betsy, Jon attended Stetson Law School in St. Petersburg and garnered the Victor O. Weile Trial Practice Award. Once settled into a diverse and sophisticated law practice in Lakeland, Jon accomplished countless legal successes for his clients; taught business law at his mother’s alma mater, Florida Southern College; taught law to graduate engineers at the University of South Florida; and served as president of the Lakeland Bar Association, vice president of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, and president of Florida Rural Legal Services (providing services to indigent clients). Jon himself received the Inns of Court Professionalism Award and the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award. The local bar association posthumously renamed their annual pro bono award for Jon.

Jon took on causes other lawyers would not. He was a zealous advocate for the disadvantaged and a pioneer in representing women who were sexually abused as children. Before it was fashionable or profitable, Jon gave a voice to those victims. At that time, the Florida statute of limitations barred such claims, and few lawyers were willing to advocate for a change in the law, let alone a mere chance for the predator to be held accountable. Jon championed these causes and participated in statewide and national dialogue that led to a change in the law.

Jon participated annually on Senator Bob Graham’s Academy selection board. He also was president of Citizen CPR, a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Committee to Achieve Racial Balance in Polk public schools, and an organizer and constant participant in mentor programs for local underprivileged children. The annual mentor award was posthumously renamed the Jon H. Anderson Mentor Award. Jon also became the de facto father and role model to two boys from their neighborhood, and he guided them through high school, higher education, and success in life.

Jon was a tenacious and formidable legal advocate without being obnoxious or unprofessional; he was an artist without being extreme or bohemian; he was a poet and colorful writer without being obtuse; he was a great public speaker and teacher without being pedantic; he was a friend and father without being smothering. Those who were fortunate enough to know him are indeed blessed.

Jon met an untimely death with his West Point classmate, Kip Schaaf, when a restored WWII Grumman HU-16C Albatross seaplane Kip was piloting experienced engine trouble and crashed near St. Lucie International Airport in Florida. Those who knew Jon would understand his presence on the flight in support of Kip, who was excited about the prospect of showing the unusual aircraft to Jon.

Jon is buried with his father, mother, and younger brother in the family plot in the Ft. Meade Cemetery within blocks of Jon’s childhood home, in the same town his parents were born—in a town that retains the beauty and grace that befit the resting place of a gentleman lawyer. Be thou at peace.

Classmates Ralph Artigliere and Dave Hofstetter