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Brett Aaron Etherton
Brett Aaron Etherton, 48, died May 7, 2012, in San Jose, Calif.
A memorial service is at 1 p.m., May 22 at Wasilla Bible Church.
Brett was born Dec.11, 1963, in Hayward, Calif. to Gerald Sr. and Alice Etherton. His grade school years were in Fairbanks and he graduated from Susitna Valley High School in Talkeetna.
He then joined the Marines and later worked at various jobs in Alaska and California. He loved the ocean and lived in Santa Cruz, Calif., before moving to San Jose, Calif.
Surviving are his parents; sisters, Sheryl Powell of Fairbanks and Kathy Larsen of Redding, Calif.; brother, Gerald Etherton Jr. of Weatherford, Texas; 14 nieces and nephews; and four grand nieces and nephews.
George L. Coon
George L. Coon, 79, died April 25, 2012, from kidney failure at his home in Meadow Lakes.
A potluck celebration in remembrance of George is at noon, June 2 at Mile 48.5, Parks Highway. Turn left on Blondell at the Murphy’s Auto sign, turn right on Trevett Avenue and the house will be the first on the right. For more information, call 357-3640.
George was born Aug. 8, 1932, in Wichita, Kan.
He spent time in Cordova, then moved to the Lower 48 and returned to Alaska in 1974. He married his wife of 37 years, Deborah Coon, in their home in Eagle River.
He was a master mechanic. There was nothing George couldn’t fix or repair. When he came back to Alaska, he joined the Teamsters and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302. He went to work for Weaver Brothers, became the night shop foreman and later bought his own truck and hauled dynamite to Prudhoe Bay as an independent trucker.
In 1976, he lost his right leg to a truck wreck. So, along with his wife, they purchased the King Mountain Service Station at Mile 75 of the Glenn Highway. They built a store and renamed it Chickaloon General Store and Services. Here he did repairs and ran a wrecker. They sold the store in 1982.
In 1996, he came down with congestive heart failure and was recommended by his cardiac physician, Dr. Burtis, to be put on the list for a heart transplant. He received a heart transplant Oct. 6, 1996, t the University Medical Center in Seattle, Wash. He also donated samples of his skin to the facility’s research program to help research why anti-rejection medicines caused skin cancer. After spending a year in Everett, Wash., recovering from the operation, he came back to Alaska and settled in Meadow Lakes.
There he gathered his strength while his wife helped by working nights at the Tesoro gas station so they could build their home and store. There he enjoyed visiting with customers, talking with miners, telling jokes and making them laugh. He always had a story to tell.
He believed in a superior being, angels, the power of prayer he received from all those who said they’d say one for him. Most of all, he believed in the healing power of laughter. He believed you should find something every day to laugh about, even if it had to be on you.
He was a generous, loving, caring person. All who were blessed with the opportunity to have known him can only smile.
George was filled with grit and fight. He was a medical miracle being a heart transplant patient for 16 years and four months.
George’s son, John Coon wrote: “George Coon was my dad and the smartest man I have known. There was nothing he couldn’t do. He built most of our homes, and not just the wells but all of it — top to bottom. He did this not from blueprints, but from his head. He could fix anything with an engine, from four-wheelers to 18-wheelers, a lawn mower to a D9 CAT. His knowledge of so many things made him my go-to man when I needed an answer to something. I think many others got advice from him as well, if they asked or not. He was born in what some call our ‘Greatest Generation, ’ and I can see why. Men like my dad are few, and each day we have fewer. I will miss him just as many others will miss him.”
George’s loving wife Deborah wrote: “He was my best friend, my soul partner and loving husband. His spirit has found eternal peace and his soul is pain free. The thought of him will bring a smile to my face and laughter throughout the entire Matanuska-Susitna Valley.”
Preceding him in death were his father, mother, stepfather, two sisters, a brother and a son.
Surviving are his wife, Deborah; his brother, Horace E. Coon; step-sister, Alberta Comparan; stepbrother, William Johnston; his three sons, George of Arizona, Michael of Wasilla, and John Coon of Anchorage; his daughters-in-law, Lorene Coon and Alena Coon; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were by the Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Robert John “Griz” Smith
Robert John “Griz” Smith, 69, died unexpectedly May 20, 2012, after stopping for a rest while out on his Harley-Davidson riding with friends up to Willow. He was 69 going on 19, and to say he lived life to the fullest is an understatement.
Griz was born Robert John Smith in St. Paul, Minn., on May 12, 1943, to Melvin and Dorothy Smith. He graduated a second lieutenant from Cretin Catholic Military Academy in St. Paul in 1961. He was married in 1963 and divorced in 1974.
Surviving are a long list of friends; sisters, Marjorie and Gloria; four children; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Griz’s appetite for life was unquenchable. He often advised us to “stay alive” and wished not for you to retain a beating heart, but rather hoped you’d share the “wanderlust” that overflowed his life, always looking for what was around the bend and over the mountain. He was also driven by the need to fish every creek, pond and river just to see what could be caught, to meet new friends and revisit old friends. He was a lover. He was a fighter. Griz was a travelin’ man.
Had he been born in centuries past, Bering and Cook would have discovered Griz’s tracks when they got to Alaska and could have saved much time and life just asking him if the land bridge to Asia or the northwest passage existed (of course, he might have said otherwise just for the mischief of it). There might have been lesser mention of great men such as Carson, Joliet, Lewis and Clark in the history books, for Griz would not have left much undiscovered in the West and Northwest. When he did venture Outside, it was never long before he missed Alaska badly. In his words, “I need to fish, hunt and blow up some fireworks!”
He was a pyro by trade and loved his work. Griz was a man on fire and proved true the old saying, “If you find something you love to do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
He worked hard, played harder and possessed the fortitude to get things done, especially when it came to building stuff. This includes the cabin he built on the shore of the lake they call Woody and has just woken up from a long winter’s nap. He was a honey-do-list destroyer and was the first to show up if a house needed building or wood needed splitting. He was always there.
Griz was a man of faith. He may have had an unconventional relationship with the Lord and may not have been much for religion or formalities, but he believed strongly in living right and doing right by everyone.
The man loved guns and hunting things that leave big footprints, the sort of species that hunts you back if you don’t kill it good enough.
Never one to be unnoticed, and one of the most stubborn people you’ll ever meet, he was a rock to those around him. Not the pillar type, but rather the round, rolling-thunder kind that gathered no moss. Griz knew no fear and was afraid of no one. If you ever saw him running, it was best to run quickly in the same direction, for an explosive boom would surely follow. His advice if things ever got real bad was to point the wheels North and come to the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Griz was a veteran Bush pilot who was awestruck by the mighty mountains there. Accordingly, he wished for his ashes to be dusted from a plane over the horizons of Alaska. That shall be done shortly by a dear friend.
“For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God, and eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands, ” 2 Corinthians 5:1.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, ” 2 Timothy 4:7.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that donations be sent to your local church, a favorite charity or to the campaign of anyone running against President Obama in 2012.
“Quando omni flunkus moritati;” when all else fails, play dead.
Vincent Lee McCutcheon
Longtime Alaska resident Vincent Lee McCutcheon, 64, died May 26, 2012, from pancreatic cancer and renal failure at his home in Willow.
A celebration of life is at 2 p.m., June 2 at the New Life Christian Center (formerly known as Willow Chapel), Mile 69.5, Parks Highway in Willow. Pastor K.B. Tompkins will officiate. Vincent’s ashes will be scattered at the Yentna River.
Vincent was born July 9, 1947, in Bryan, Ohio, to Dorothy Deha McKay. He later joined the Air Force and was in and out of Alaska for the last 30-plus years.
Vincent was fond of all children, loved his animals and was where he wanted to be. He always loved Alaska and all it had to offer. He was a conservative and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. He was a member of Mason Lodge 270 and an NRA life member. He enjoyed the outdoors, working on computers, fixing guns and loading ammo.
He is survived by daughter and son in-law, Michel ‘Kel’ and Jason Jacobs of Willow; father, Matt McCutcheon of Colorado Springs, Colo.; brother, David McCutcheon of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandson, Tyler Jacobs of Willow; and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He is also survived by close friends, Kit and Gwen Mattoon; John “J.J.” and Cori Johnson; Bart and Carolyn Vander Velde; and Waneta Redmond.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Deha McKay; sisters, Marla Dee McCutcheon and Kay Denise McCutcheon; brother, Jeffery Clyde McCutcheon; and past wife, Laurie ‘Scooter’ McCutcheon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Michel “Kel” Jacobs, P.O. Box 467, Willow, AK 99688, or Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, Account No. 126980.
Arrangements were cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Marley Reianna Tubbs Chatterton
Marley Reianna Tubbs Chatterton, 29, of Pocatello, Idaho, died May 31, 2012.
Marley was born May 8, 1983, in Palmer to Sid and Tina Tubbs. She was raised in Firth, Idaho, where she graduated high school in 2001. After high school, Marley’s love for learning continued as she received her bachelor’s degree in business from Idaho State University in 2011.
At the time of Marley’s passing, she was the state of Oregon marketing director for Farmer’s Insurance Federal Credit Union.
On July 31, 2004, Marley married the love of her life, Jason Ellis Chatterton, of Pocatello, Idaho. A year later, they were sealed for all time in the Logan LDS Temple. Together, they have two beautiful children, Mataya Brittain, 6, and Carter Ellis, 4.
Marley enjoyed spending time with her family, whether it was camping or baking treats in the kitchen with her children. She also enjoyed participating in many church activities and callings as she was an active member in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Marley’s love for life shone wherever she went as she touched all those who knew her. Her bubbly personality, compassionate spirit, smile and contagious laugh could brighten anyone’s day.
Surviving are her husband, Jason; children, Mataya and Carter; parents, Sid and Tina Tubbs; and siblings, Tyler (Shelby) Tubbs, Drew Tubbs, Jordan (Cheryl) Tubbs and Burke (Mitch) Katseanes.
Funeral services are 11 a.m., June 8 at the Firth Stake Center, 823 N. 675 E, in Basalt. Burial will be in the Goshen Cemetery.
Hilda Alicia Hamilton
Hilda Alicia Hamilton, 78, died May 24, 2012, with her family at her side in Wasilla.
A private family viewing was May 25 at Valley Funeral Home and Chapel with Pastor Stan Tucker present. Hilda’s ashes will be scattered at Hatcher Pass at a later date.
“A butterfly lights up beside us like a sunbeam, and for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world. But then it flies on again, and though we wish it could have stayed; we felt so lucky to have seen it.”
Hilda was born April 2, 1934, in San Antonio, Texas, to Jose Juan and Maria G. Rodriguez.
Hilda attended an all-girls Catholic school until the eighth grade. Though she hadn’t graduated from high school, she was extremely educated. She enjoyed reading the publications Gardening, Popular Mechanics, National Geographic, Smithsonian and anything having to do with NASA. She was a great believer in God and read her Bible every day, while listening to music worshiping and praising him.
While working as an office manager in San Antonio, Texas, Hilda met and married Marion M. Hamilton (Ham). They bought a small private airport outside San Antonio, where she provided a safe home for two-dozen abandoned dogs. She not only had a very big and loving heart for animals, she also made a point to help those less fortunate than herself.
She and Ham moved to Alaska in 1968 in an old converted bread truck, arriving with $25, no job, no friends and no place to stay. Ham obtained a job with an electronics company, and they were able to buy a trailer. They lived in Anchorage, where she worked as a receptionist at a hair salon. They bought property and moved to Willow in 1972 where she transition into a homemaker.
She spoiled her family with fresh bread, cookies, yummy pecan and chess pies. Her home always smelled of fresh baking. She was very proud of once owning a gold mine lease in Hatcher Pass. The summers were spent digging, panning and enjoying the beauty of nature. She loved having her family around at the mine and especially enjoyed watching her grandchildren rolling down the hills on the moss and taking mid-afternoon naps in the mountains. She moved to Wasilla in the 1990s and enjoyed beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. She later moved to Orlando, Fla., and resided at a retirement community in Lady Lake, Fla., until her husband passed away.
She longed for the mountains and her family, so she moved back to Alaska in 2005, where she lived with her daughter, Rita. She bonded with and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; she cherished each of them in her own special way. Alicia was especially close to her last two great-grandchildren. She would take them to their “project” at Lowes on Saturdays, their classes at Excel Gymnastics, the zoo, Broadway shows and her favorite, ice cream cones — no matter what time of day. She also enjoyed participating in family night at the preschool each month and had as much fun as the children. She gave all her grandchildren unconditional love and was always there to clean boo-boos and give kisses to make it all better.
“Alicia had a giving and loving heart and gave of herself without expectations. She was loved by all who knew her, ” her family wrote. “We know her spirit is, and always will be, with us. She is now our guardian angel. She will protect us all and will be a gentle breeze guiding us through the trials of life. Alicia was truly loved and we will miss her tremendously!”
Her daughter, Rita wrote: “My mother was an adventurous, fun loving person. To her, love conquered all and God should be the foundation of everything we do. Family was important to her, and our family was very blessed to have her with us these past six years, sharing her experiences and bringing true joy into our everyday living.”
Preceding her in death was her husband, Marion M. Hamilton; brothers, Robert and Jody Rodriguez; and sister, Margaret Mesker.
Surviving are her daughter, Rita M. Davila of Wasilla; daughter, Gloria L. Taylor (Dennis) of Lady Lake, Fla.; grandson, Robert R. Davila (Brenda) of Palmer; grandson, Raul R. Davila (Alecia Chester) of Wasilla; granddaughter, Ronica Holeman (Curtis) of Anchorage; great-grandchildren, Stephen G. and Tessa B. Davila of Las Vegas, Nev., Rachelle Conway of Portland, Ore., Chaz Davila-Rush of Fairbanks, Renata “Rain” M. and Robert “Talon” Davila of Palmer, Drew Burns of Wasilla, Skylar Smyth of Wasilla, and Breeanna G. and Gracie A. Davila of Wasilla; and brother, Albert Rodriquez (Gladys) of Seal Beach, Calif.
Arrangements were by the Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.
Julie Ann Giles
Julie Ann Giles, 63, died June 6, 2012, of complications from multiple strokes at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.
She was born May 28, 1949, in Anchorage. She graduated from West High School in 1967. She lived in Anchorage until 1986, then moved to Wasilla. She worked for Chugach Electric, Anchorage telephone utility, Priscilla Horner CPA LLC and Klondike Photo. She retired in 2000 from the Anchorage telephone company.
She was a member of Valley Harvest Church. Julie’s special interests were church, traveling, shopping and her family.
Julie was a passionate prayer warrior who loved God and showed it daily. She was family oriented and had the joy of a child in her heart. She was a wonderful friend wife and mother. She loved traveling around the United States by air, sea, car and motorcycle. Julie loved being an aunt, great-aunt and grandma to all. The kids she would introduce to mischief and spoiled with a purse full of gum.
Surviving are her husband, Algon Giles; son, Jayson Giles; son-in-law Andre LaFrance; mother, Alexandria Severson-Roehl-Paisley; sisters, Shirley Alexander, Lana Kiernan, Sheila Hague and Candy Asplund; brothers, Harmon Roehl, John Roehl and Rocky Roehl; and many special nieces and nephews and their children, who liked to call her grandma.
A visitation is at 10 a.m., June 9. Pastor Joe Hand will officiate memorial services at 11 a.m., at Faith Christian Community, 4240 Wisconsin St., Anchorage. Pastor Barry Orzalli will officiate at graveside services at 3:30 p.m., at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.
The family was taken care of by Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel in Palmer.
