03/25/2026
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our team member, John Anders.
John brought not only years of knowledge and dedication to Rising Star Pharmacy, but also a true gift for conversation. He loved to talk, connect, and share stories, making each day a little brighter for those around him.
John was a valued part of our team and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this time.
John’s family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, March 29, 2026 from 2:00–3:00 PM at First Baptist Church in De Leon. Funeral services will begin at 3:00 PM.
With immense gratitude we thank God for the life of John Charles Anders, R. Ph. More importantly, we thank Him for the everlasting life that is now at hand for John. By His goodness and grace, John was able to defeat pancreatic cancer on March 22, 2026, and entered Heaven where his faith is now sight.
John was born October 5, 1947, in Schulenburg, Texas to Charles J. and Leona A. Anders. John graduated from Weimar High School in 1966. He then attended Texas A&M University where he was recruited by Coach Gene Stallings to play football for the Aggies. He played there in 1967 and 1968, with his favorite memory being when Mo Moorman hit him so hard in a shotgun alley drill that it split his helmet off his head, leaving a headache that lasted for weeks and a special memory that lasted a lifetime. He later transferred to the University of Southern Louisiana where he played football as a Rajun Cajun for two seasons. After his college football career ended, he enrolled in the College of Pharmacy at The University of Houston where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in May of 1972.
John married Sharon Summers March 9,1974, in San Antonio. They had their first son, Bryan, in 1975 and later Todd, in 1977. They raised their family in Schulenburg, always staying busy with their business, their sons’ activities, and community involvement. John served on many service boards throughout his life and always dedicated his time to his community.
He was employed by Sommer’s Rexall Drug Stores for over a decade where he managed prescription departments for two large chain operations. He then spent several years as the Director of Pharmacy for many rural hospitals including Eagle Lake, Columbus, and Weimar, Texas. He was involved in intense unit dose and I.V. admixture programs for inpatients for Innovative Pharmacy Services. In 1984, John joined the Apothecary Medical Associates of Schulenburg as their Managing Pharmacist for over ten years.
Finally, his longtime dream was realized when he was able to purchase his first pharmacy, Zatopek’s Pharmacy, in Weimar, Texas in 1994. In 1997, he expanded his business to include Farmer’s Drug and formed Community Pharmacy. After many years of dedication in service of others, he sold Community Pharmacy and “retired” in 2004. He was a patient and thorough pharmacist making each customer feel welcomed, heard, and cared for. He truly loved his career and the ability it gave him to help others.
Schulenburg made a wonderful home for their family but in 2013, they built their final home in Par Village, Comanche County, where John could sit on the back porch smoking his pipe and watching the golfers pass by. Never a man of idle hands, John decided full time retirement was not for him. He continued relief pharmacy work in Brownwood, Comanche, and Rising Star up until January of 2026, at the age of 78. He also helped Todd and Angela for many years at the funeral home when needed. He was always willing to lend a hand and a voice of reason. His guidance and advice will be appreciated always. John and Sharon attended East Side Baptist Church in Comanche and loved the many friends they made there.
John was a kind and compassionate man, always asking others how life was treating them and genuinely caring about their answer. He lived a full life with many hobbies. He loved everything Texas A&M and was the most loyal Aggie. Football was his favorite sport to follow, but he kept up with all sports, a deep love he shared with his grandsons. For over forty years, John shared a deer lease outside of Weimar, with several of his lifelong friends. He looked forward to each trip to see his buddies and enjoy his love of hunting. His family was his greatest joy in life. Ballgames, band concerts, hunting, fishing, throwing quarters, chasing his grandsons from one activity to the next, these were all the “good stuff” as John would say. He was a wonderful husband, the best father and father-in-law, a devoted BoBo to his grandchildren, and a gentle and kind soul to all who crossed his path. He was a loyal friend and a caring neighbor. He will be missed deeply by those who knew and loved him.
He leaves behind a loving legacy in his family: his devoted wife of fifty-two years, Sharon; son, Bryan Anders and wife, Lydia, and their children, Chase Townsel, Maddy Hacker, Katie Hacker, Jacob Anders, Ellie Forney, Violet Forney, Gabe Forney, and Maurice Anders; son, Todd Anders and wife, Angela, and their sons, Rhett Charles Anders and Kolt Johnson Anders; sisters, Lana Mead, and Carol Scharnberg and husband, Jack; two nephews, Chuck Mead (Jennifer) and Virgil Mead (Stephanie); two nieces, Lauren Brumley (Matt) and Emily Smith (Brian); four great-nieces; and other extended family including the Johnson family whom he loved dearly. John has been reunited with his parents; parents-in-law, Maurice and Frances Summers; and brothers-in-law, Gary Summers and Howard Mead.
John’s family will receive friends for visitation on Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, De Leon. Funeral services will begin at 3:00 p.m. with Brother Paul Winegeart and Brother Steven Schulte officiating. Private family graveside interment will follow in Carbon.
The Anders family would like to thank CCS Hospice for their genuine love and care of John in his final days. He wanted to be home with his family overlooking the golf course and you all made that possible and comfortable for him. We are forever grateful.
If desired, memorial contributions may be directed to First Baptist Church De Leon (125 South Houston Street, De Leon), East Side Baptist (207 Ranch Rd 3381, Comanche), or to the De Leon Sports Alliance (c/o Angela at PO Box 167, De Leon). John loved to follow his grandsons’ sporting endeavors and would love nothing more than to see the DSA organization grow to benefit the local children. He’d also tell those kids “Gig ‘Em”!
Condolences may be offered online at www.nowlinandersfh.com.
