James Edward Anderson passed away on March 3, 2024 – about one month before his 87th birthday. Jim, or Coach Jimmy, as he was known by many, has left a lasting mark on the lives of countless individuals through his work as a coach, husband, father, grandfather, brother, church member, and friend.
Jim was born in Britton, South Dakota to Harry and Mary Anderson, the third son of their five children (Jack, Joe, James, Jerome, and Jill.) During his preschool years, the family moved to Hoquiam, Washington and he attended St. Mary’s Catholic grade school and Hoquiam High School. He was the idyllic young man and son as he managed to become student body president, a three-sport star athlete in football, basketball, and baseball, worked several jobs, and juggled those responsibilities with help in raising his four-year-old sister Jill after his mother Mary died when he was only 15.
After graduation, Jim was spotted playing basketball while attending Grays Harbor Jr. College by OSU asst. football coach Jerry Long – and mentioned to Slats Gill that there was a feisty little guard in Aberdeen that could really help the Beavers. This was the beginning of his legacy at Oregon State University – he signed a full-ride basketball scholarship in 1957, which led to him fulfilling roles first as a player, then as freshman coach, an assistant coach to Paul Valenti, Ralph Miller’s head assistant and finally in 1989 as the head coach. Many of Oregon State’s great players during those years credit Jim for his untiring pursuit of them to play for the Beavers and he was regarded as a second father to several. Other coaching opportunities presented themselves over the years but Jim’s love for Oregon State and Corvallis kept him committed.
Jim only ventured away from Oregon State for two years right after earning his Master’s Degree to teach and coach at Newberg High. He moved, with his wife Fifi Quisenberry whom he met while working as a TA in her OSU health class. Their Catholic faith was an immediate bond in a marriage lasting almost 63 years. Jim and Fifi started their family in Newberg and shortly after, Jim was hired to his position at OSU working with Paul Valenti who succeeded Stats Gill as head coach. Jim and Fifi’s family grew to include 4 children and his job as a recruiter took him away from home for weeks at a time, but his heart was always with his family. He had high expectations of his children to be good Catholics and good citizens and when mom reported that things were lax during his absence, there were consequences!
Some people like to win, and then there’s Jimmy Anderson. Jim’s athletic determination stayed strong, and inspired his children and players to give it their “all.” He was a fierce competitor – whether in a sports endeavor or a game of cards. He hated to lose … especially to the Ducks! Players talk about the notorious” hell week” of practice before these scheduled games. As the head Beaver basketball coach Jim’s 1989-90 basketball team won co-champs of the PAC 12 Conference. He was awarded PAC 12 Coach of the Year and a finalist for District 1 Coach of the Year. Jim was also inducted into the Oregon State Hall of Fame and the PAC 12 Hall of Honor. Even in his retirement, Jim continued to be a faithful Beaver, attending basketball practice every day up until last year. He and Fifi had season tickets to OSU Football, Baseball, and Men’s and Women’s Basketball and they could often be seen at many other sporting events like wrestling matches, volleyball games, and the like. Jim’s retirement years always began with daily Mass, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku, working in his large garden, or socializing with a wide variety of long-time friends from college and his coaching days.
Jim is not only survived by his hard-earned athletic legacy, but by the loving and boisterous family that he cared for his whole life: wife Fifi; sons Steve (Tiffini) and Jeff (Melissa); daughters Kelly and Jill (KC); grandchildren Brittany, Elli, Ariel, Felicia, Emma, Jackson, Paige, James, Gina, Dina, Brooke, Maria, and Tommy; great-grandchildren Christian, Eva, Audrianna, and Alexander; siblings sister Jill (Steve) and brother Joseph.
A funeral Mass will be held on March 16th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 501 NW 25th, Corvallis at 11 a.m. and a Celebration of Life on the same day at 3 p.m. in Gill Coliseum on the Oregon State Campus. All are welcome to attend both services. Donations in Jim’s honor can be made to the St. Vincent DePaul food Pantry at St. Mary’s Catholic Church where Jim and Fifi volunteered their time for many years.
Please share your thoughts and memories for the family at www.McHenryFuneralHome.com.
