Obituary of James Alan Anderson

James Alan Anderson (Alan) passed away on July 11, 2022. Alan was born to Byron Anderson and Flora Smith Anderson on June 14, 1941, in Brownwood, Texas. Early in his childhood, his family moved to San Antonio, Texas, where Alan formed friendships that would last a lifetime. Alan graduated from Harlandale High School in San Antonio in 1959. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in physics from Texas Tech University in 1964, and his Master of Science in Mathematics from Texas Tech University in 1965. While attending Texas Tech, Alan belonged to the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Alan began his professional career at Texas Instruments. In October of 1967, Alan and Stuart Reeves left successful careers at Texas Instruments to join a startup company called Electronic Data Systems (EDS). Alan was instrumental in the rapid growth of EDS, building several first-of-a-kind software applications while also achieving the highest corporate engineering leadership position. Over the EDS years, Alan built one-on-one lifetime relationships with: Mort Meyerson, Stuart Reeves, Tom Hendricks, and countless others. A member of Mensa, Alan enjoyed being the “smartest person in the room,” and the EDSers enjoyed just being in the room with him. He was informally known as the “software stud.” The EDS Systems Engineers were made better by the experience and will miss him greatly. After leaving EDS, Alan served as Corporate Systems and Programming Manager at Steak and Ale Restaurants of America. He subsequently became a consultant and managed the development of numerous software products for major corporations including EDS and USLIFE Systems. Alan founded Chamber Data Systems, Inc. in 1984 and spent the rest of his career architecting and building world-class association management software designed for chambers of commerce and other associations. Alan retired as President of Chamber Data Systems in January 2005. Alan met the love of his life, JoAnn McDonough, in 1983 when she purchased the condominium next door to his. They were devoted to each other for the rest of his life. Alan was strong-willed and assertive. JoAnn is patient, kind, and gracious. She was the perfect mate for him. JoAnn joined Alan working for Chamber Data Systems and managed the marketing and business administration. They shared the joy of their business success, working together until his retirement. On most days, Alan and JoAnn would lunch at their favorite restaurants. They loved good food and meeting people. They enjoyed simple moments together going for drives, sharing picnics in the park, and sitting on their favorite park bench on Lakeside Drive. Alan was not tribal by nature though he was proud to identify with those he held in high regard. He was willing to consider a new idea unless it ran contrary to his current thinking. His allegiance was to truth and science. Although in most cases, the phrase “one of a kind” is hyperbole, in Alan’s case, it was accurate. He saw the world from a unique perspective, was motivated to track down and fully explore whatever sparked his curiosity and saw the humor in every situation. He sought perfection in his work. He excelled at crafting the perfect letter or story, architecting elegant software frameworks, simplifying complex issues, and communicating clearly with all the necessary background information. There was no limit to the research Alan would do before taking action. He understood things like why the best way to make a glass of chocolate milk is to add the milk first before the chocolate. And once he understood the best way to handle a task, he was compelled to educate and train those around him. If you were lucky enough to be on the receiving end of one of those sessions, you often found yourself engaged longer than the promised “this will only take a minute.” Alan was interested in people and could always recall their names. His favorite question when he met someone was, “How did you get into your line of business?” He then listened to their response and was quick to find common ground. He once inserted himself as an observer into a private interview given by Sally Ride. On another occasion, he tracked down Albert Einstein’s granddaughter, called her on the phone to ask her some questions, and ended up having an hour-long conversation with her. Alan loved keeping up with old friends and would spend hours researching the whereabouts of long-lost acquaintances. Once found, he would call them to get an in-depth update on their life. He kept mutual friends connected and was proud to share their accomplishments. Alan was always willing to engage in conversation. He shared observations and advice without restraint and shaped the lives of countless people. Over the years, Alan graced friends and their out-of-town guests with his famous “Alan Anderson Tour of Dallas,” during which he would drive a perfectly planned route through Preston Hollow and Highland Park, pointing out the homes of well-known public figures. He was proud of the city and its residents; always giving a colorful personal background story at each tour stop. Alan eschewed obligatory annual traditions which he felt were impersonal marketing schemes employing societal pressure. He preferred to celebrate his “unbirthday,” which worked out well for him most of the time. Friends learned not to expect much hoopla or fanfare from Alan on their birthdays either. Alan’s gift was his true friendship which he gave on birthdays and “unbirthdays” alike. Alan is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Alice Farrell, and his brother Byron H. Anderson. Alan is survived by his life-partner, JoAnn McDonough; his son, Packard Anderson; his nephews, Bruce Farrell, Jim Farrell, and Martin Farrell; and his unrelated but much-loved Tuesday Night Group, Florence Durant, Doug Durant, Mark Hergenrether, Michelle Hergenrether, Nathaniel Durant, Calum Durant, Jack Hergenrether, Sam Hergenrether, Clio Hergenrether, and Ethan Hergenrether. To paraphrase a favorite expression of Alan’s which he used to take his leave, “it’s been a lovely life.” Goodbye, dear friend. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Harlandale Education Foundation, https://www.harlandale.net/educationfoundation.