Joseph Paul Anderson was born September 19th, 1965, to John Charles Katona and De Ette Dianne Anderson.
The family, including Joe’s older brother John and younger brother Roger, shuttled some between cities until they finally settled in Portland, Oregon.
As often happens, divorce interrupted their lives and the three boys, and their mother, lived together until De Ette met Steven L. Anderson, who she married in 1974. Joe was immediately plunged into a family life that now added a sister and four additional brothers to the mix. In 1976 Joe was adopted and legally grafted into the family he had been a part of for two years.
Joes' childhood included stints at James John Elementary and Roosevelt High School. He played Pop Warner football, was a cub scout, ran fun runs and 5 and 10k races with the family, learned to ski and enjoyed fishing—especially with his grandparents, Ken and Edna Karstens.
Joe was industrious, applying for a work permit and going to work at Bradley’s Market at 14. He also had an opportunity to spend a summer in a remote Alaskan location learning to and assisting in building a lodge size, scribe-built log home. Unfortunately, a childhood defect in his Renal Tract took its toll and Joe’s kidneys gave out. His older brother, John, offered a kidney and after some prep time in dialysis in 1983 the transplant was performed. The transplant took hold and Joe went into adulthood with a strong body and an active and creative mind.
Joe married early, having two beautiful children. Although the relationship did not last, Joe went on to have two more wonderful children he would raise as a single father into their adulthood.
Joe found satisfaction working as a security guard. Tall and muscular, Joe was intimidating even without the sidearm he carried. But Joe had a character fit to the job. Though physically impressive, Joe could talk down most intense situations and because of the combination of those attributes was often called upon to work in the most challenging and stressful environments.
Joe’s kidney finally gave out after 35 years of good service and his health began to decline. His heart finally succumbed to the stress and he passed away in the company of family and friends November 26th, 2023.
Joe is survived by his brothers John Katona (Teresa), Roger Anderson (Olga), Israel Anderson (Tina), sister Tanya Perry (Bob), Children Jessica Lynn Diaz, Justin Lee Diaz, Tyler Anderson, Tiffany Rose Hussey (Brandon) and grandchildren, Jamie Anne Marie Anderson, Chloe Rose Stevens, Zoey Azalea Stevens, Harper Rose Hussey, Hudson Alan Hussey, Holden Richard Hussey and Hannah Rose Hussey.
Donations towards his final expenses may be made to www.gofundme/Joseph Paul Anderson