Former Kansas Gov. John Anderson Jr. Dies at 97

John Anderson Jr., who served as Kansas governor from 1961 to 1965, has died.

His daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Anderson, says Anderson was 97 when he died Monday at an extended-care facility in Olathe.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Anderson practiced law in Olathe and served as Johnson County attorney before winning a seat in the Kansas State Senate in 1952. He was appointed attorney general in 1956 and won re-election in 1956 and 1958.

In 1960, Anderson ran for governor, defeating incumbent George Docking. At that time governors served only two-year terms, and Anderson successfully won re-election in 1962.

After his term ended, Anderson returned to his law practice in Olathe. He again sought his party’s nomination for governor in 1972 but was defeated in a primary election.