RAPID CITY- Colonel James E Anderson, USAF Retired, passed away quietly at Rapid City Regional Hospital on Friday, October 31, 2014 after a short illness. Jim was born in Minneapolis Minnesota on November 24, 1924 and grew up on a dairy farm in Becker Minnesota. At the age of 19 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and awarded his pilot wings. He married his high-school sweetheart, Joyce Murphy, in April of 1945 at the Randolph Field Chapel in San Antonio Texas. The age of consent at that time was 21 so even as 2nd Lieutenant; Jim had to have permission from his mother to get married. Colonel Anderson had a distinguished 30 year Air Force career and received numerous awards including the Legion of Merit and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. During his service he visited or lived in 40 countries The first 14 years (1945-1959) of his Air Force career were spent in various flying jobs as a pilot in the B-25, B-17, B-29, B-36, and B-52 aircraft at Ellsworth AFB (at that time called the Rapid City Army Air Base). In 1953, Jim was part of the same mission when Brigadier General Richard Ellsworth was killed on a simulated bomb mission flying from the Azores to Rapid City. In October 1960, Maj. Anderson was transferred to Headquarters, 15th Air Force at March AFB, CA as SAC Liaison Officer to the Federal Aviation Agency. Under his direction, the first Air Refueling Areas and Low Level Routes of the SAC were formed. That assignment required extensive travel throughout the western half of the United States coordinating special use Airspace required to fly aircraft assigned to the command. During that assignment, he flew T-33 and T-39 aircraft. In June 1965, he was transferred to Groom Lake Nevada, Area 51 as Chief of Training for the 1129th Special Activities Squadron. In September, 1966 he was promoted to Colonel and assumed duties of Executive Officer and later as Director of Operations. At Groom Lake, he flew the F-101 and A-12 Blackbird spy plane. In July, 1968 he transferred to Beale AFB in California where he served as Director of Operations, 14th Air Division. In 1969 he became Vice Wing Commander and also served as Commander of the SR-71 detachment at Kadena, Okinawa. During his Beale tour of duty, he flew the T-38, F-101 and the SR-71 and was charged with the management of Beale Air Force Base's Combat Support Group. In January, 1972, he was assigned to SAC Headquarters as Deputy Inspector General of the Strategic Air Command where he remained until his retirement in May 1973. Jim was an active member of the Rapid City Community. From 1954 to 1958, he was the Chairman of the Aviation Committee of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce. In 1958, at the request of Governor Joe Foss, he appeared before the Civil Aeronautics Board in Washington D.C. to help procure airline service to Rapid City. Jim served as president of the Arrowhead Country Club and the Air Force Association of South Dakota and was a member of the BPOE (Elks Club) for 62 years. He was on the Rapid City Industries Board of Directors and served as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. He was also in the construction business and was the Project Manager for developing the Hart Ranch Resort where he stayed on as President and General Manager until 1990. He and Everett Call were business partners co-owning the Hut Party Store (for 32 years) and Wilson Feed and Seed. Upon retiring from the USAF, Jim transitioned from being a pilot to being a Captain of his boat, Dakotah. Jim, with Joyce as co-Captain, spent the next 30 years cruising Florida and the Bahamas. He retired from boating at the age of 87 and they moved back to Rapid City. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joyce and their four children Stephanie Dart and Susan Anderson both of Santa Barbara, CA, James B (Linda) Anderson, Rapid City and Kristen (William) Boyle of Las Vegas Nevada; their 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, and Jim's brothers and their families: Warren and Wayne Johnson of Becker Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Greg Kroger officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services. Interment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with full military honors rendered by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Rushmore VFW Post 1273.