James D. Anthony was born on June 3, 1927, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He attended Mount Union, receiving his B.A. in 1960, and also attended Iliff School of Theology. Rev. Anthony was admitted on trial to the Central Kansas Conference in 1962. On May 27 of that year, he was ordained Deacon. He married Dora Lee Chappell on June 8, 1957; their children were Mark Alan (born 1958), Steven Charles (1959), and Curtis William (1963). His appointments included Williamsfield, Ohio (1956-1958), Cherry Valley, Ohio (1957-1958), Freedom, Ohio (1958-1960), and Kanorado, Kansas (1962). In 1963 he transferred to the Minnesota Conference, where he served as an associate pastor at Aldersgate Church in the Minneapolis District.

Note written by Sarah St. John