James Carl Anderson, “JC,” 84, of Calgary Alberta, Formerly of Oakland NE

James Carl Anderson (JC) 84, peacefully passed away on Thursday September 3, 2015 with his family by his side in Calgary, Alberta. JC was predeceased by his son Bryan.   He is survived by his special friend Karen, son John, daughters Susan, Sandra, grandsons, Austin and Eric of Calgary and brother Robert (Kathey), nephews Steve and Michael and their families.

JC was born in Oakland Nebraska, educated at Midland Lutheran College and then transferred to the University of Texas and graduated as a petroleum engineer. He worked for what later became Amoco in the United States. JC first came to Canada as Chief Engineer for Amoco in 1965. He decided to step out on his own and form his own exploration and production company in 1968. He started with an initial investment of $400,000 which he ultimately grew to one of Canada’s largest exploration and production companies with a total enterprise value of $7.2 billion, with production of 200,000 BOED that was ultimately sold to Devon Energy in the fall of 2001.

In 1971 JC found the Dunvegan gas field near Peace River Alberta which proved to be one of the ten largest natural gas fields in Canada with over 1.4 Trillion Cubic Feet of natural gas reserves. In 1995, in response to a hostile takeover attempt by Amoco towards Home Oil Company, JC submitted a one billion all stock bid for Home Oil Company as a white knight. This bid was ultimately proved to be successful, and was at that time in Canadian public markets the first successful all stock bid to succeed over an all cash hostile bid. Anderson also acquired Columbia Gas Canada, Amax Petroleum Canada, Ulster Petroleum and Numac Petroleum.

A larger than life personality, JC had a reputation of being a shrewd deal maker and a demanding taskmaster. His prodigious memory was legendary as was his passion for the nuts and bolts of exploring for hydrocarbons. To those who worked closely with JC the days were filled not only with high expectations but also with laughter and humour. To the end he remembered not only the details of many deals he was involved in but also the people he did them with and the many others he worked with over the years.

In February of 2002, JC and other members of the Anderson Exploration management team formed Anderson Energy Inc., a private company which ultimately went public in September 2005.

Business accomplishments aside, JC’s family was a great source of pride and his most special times were those spent with his children and grandchildren. JC lived to support his families’ activities whole heartedly. Known on the equestrian scene as the “A Team” JC’s children all enjoyed International success in the sport and were all members of Canada’s Equestrian Team. Along with the support of Barbara Anderson, a world class Show Jumping venue was constructed on the Anderson Ranch property in 1980 that continues to grow and cater the sport, which prompted the sport’s National Federation to induct the Anderson Family into the Jump Canada Hall of Fame in November, 2011.

JC was a philanthropist and his contributions to the community through many charities and self directed foundations were considerable. They include the: United Way, Calgary Foundation, Mazankoski Heart Hospital in Edmonton, Stars Air Ambulance, Easter Seals Camp Horizon and numerous other charities.

The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to JC’s cardiology team including Drs. Exner and Belenkie, Lisa Semeniuk, his caregivers from Calgary Elder Care and Victoria Order of Nurses, as well as the countless others who assisted with JC’s care over the past number of years.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, October 10, 2015, 11 am, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oakland, Nebraska

MEMORIALS: Friends of Oakland Foundation, Oakland Golf Club, Oakland Public Library.

JC Anderson

JC Anderson