John D. Anthony, Jr.

John D. Anthony, Jr. “Dave” passed on to Heaven, August 10, 2022. His family by his side. He’s likely found the library in Heaven by now and having spirited discussions with the residents.

Dave was born December 20, 1939 in Christian, West Virginia, the oldest of three children to the late John D. Anthony, Sr. and Ida Mae Reynolds. As a Preacher’s Kid, he grew up in various towns in Logan County, West Virginia. His family moved to Easley, South Carolina his senior of high school. Dave graduated there in 1958. He attended Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia and then joined the USAF. He met Loree Moss of Greenwood, South Carolina while on leave as an A1C stationed at Myrtle Beach AFB. He proposed to her in the hallway of her high school. They were married June 1, 1962. Early in their marriage, the Air Force moved them many times, from South Carolina all the way to Alaska.

Dave enjoyed his travels while in the military including assignments at Evreux AB, France and Aviano AB, Italy. He was also in New Delhi, India in 1963 as part of Exercise ShikSha. He always delighted to see area historical sites. The highlight of his travels was seeing the Colosseum in Rome, sites in Paris, and the breathtaking beauty of the Taj Mahal. He served in Vietnam September 1966 - September 1967 as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) at Binh Thuy AB on the Mekong Delta.

When Dave left the military, the family moved to Ankeny, Iowa, where Dave graduated from Faith Baptist Bible College in 1977. They moved to Rantoul, Illinois where he pastored Bible Baptist Church and Maranatha Baptist Church. Dave worked as a Quality Assurance inspector at Rantoul Products for 20 years. In 2008, Dave and Loree retired to Byron, Georgia. Dave lived his final years with his daughter in Warner Robins.

Dave was a lifetime learner, ever the scholar, loved teaching, history of any kind, archaeology, and preparing expository messages on biblical passages. He thoroughly enjoyed researching and creating a 40 ft Biblical timeline. He read encyclopedias, wrote papers and commentaries; he always had a book near at hand. In his later years, Dave resumed his hobby of ham radio (call sign KN4GNX) and enjoyed involvement with the Middle Georgia Radio Association (MGRA). He enjoyed working on his computer.

Dave is survived by his brother, Gary Anthony of Greenwood, South Carolina; daughters, Pamela Anthony of Warner Robins, GA, and Michele Dunker (Dan) of Bennett, CO; grandchildren, Brayton Overton (Vanessa), Brittany Overton, and Monique Szczepanik (Joe); great-grandchildren, Junior Overton, Anthony Overton, Chloe Overton, Arianna Stewart, Aleeyah Loree Austin, Anderson Henderson, James Szczepanik, and Jacob Szczepanik; and his faithful friend Tom Ordal of Rantoul, Illinois. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, and sister Joy Anthony Gravley of Greenwood, South Carolina.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Magnolia Park Cemetery in Warner Robins with Rev. Isaac Davis officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given to Biblical History Center, P.O. Box 2629, LaGrange, GA 30241.

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