Joel Craig Anderson, 78

Joel Craig Anderson of Reston, VA passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, after a long battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on February 28, 1937, the son of Frances and Dr. Arnold Anderson, both of Minnesota. Joel was raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, and received degrees from George Washington University and the University of Florida. He served in the Army from 1959 to 1961 and was stationed in Berlin. Following work in the Federal Government from 1965 until retiring from the Department of Interior in 1987, he began a second career as a counselor in Arizona and Virginia, including as a smoking cessation teacher in Fairfax County.

In 1967, Joel became involved in AA and Alanon, and spent the rest of his life deeply committed to helping others in the Greater DC area and in AZ. Other interests included jogging, walking, singing in church choir, reading, and listening to music. He married Marlee Kochis in 1965; they divorced in 1977. He married Ellen Gallagher Cannon in 1982.

Joel is survived by his loving wife Ellen of Reston; his sister Stephanie Houston of West Palm Beach, FL and her three children; his sons J. Craig Anderson of Alexandria, VA and Martin K. Anderson of Saluda, NC; stepchildren Kathy Laurini of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, Daniel Cannon of Houston, TX, Mary Taylor of Ashburn, VA, Meg Cannon of Leesburg, VA, and Ed Cannon of Denver, CO; twelve grandchildren; and hundreds of others in recovery whom he has helped, one day at a time.

Memorial services will be held at Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon, and St. Thomas a Becket Catholic Church in Reston. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Leesburg, VA office of Capital Caring Hospice, or the Alzheimer’s Association. Information and condolences at www.adamsgreen.com