Mabel Lena Joule Blatchford died Friday, November 26, 2010, at Alaska Native Medical Center.  A service will be held on December 4, 2010 at the IMS bldg. on 3rd Avenue at 1:00 pm.  A graveside service and potluck back at the IMS will follow. 

She has left a lasting legacy for all of Alaska. Mabel passed on quickly, two months after the death of her husband of 63 years, Eugene Blatchford.

Mabel lead the adventurous life as the child of a traveling, Inupiat teacher, and deacon in the Episcopal Church. She was born in Deering, Alaska on January 31st, 1928 to parents Tony Joule, and Anne (Lieb) Joule. She spoke often of her memories of reindeer herding there. Most of her younger years were spent in Pt. Lay where she and her brothers and sister lost their mother to illness. Mabel was 3 years old then. Tony Joule later married May Upicksoun. In the 1930s, he was the last whaling captain to capture bowhead whales in Pt. Lay for another 70 years. Mabel spoke of her memories on the beach there, cutting up a jelly fish like the women who butchered the seals nearby.

As a teenager, she attended the boarding school at White Mountain and later in Wrangell Institute. There she reported the weather to the military for the war effort. Her fondest memory of Wrangell was when a Tlingit girl from Yakutat lent her a dress for the prom. Later, in Nome, she met Eugene Blatchford. They eventually moved to Sitka and had a total of 7 surviving children.

Mabel was a hard working mother for her six girls and one boy, saying raising her children was the “joy of her life.” She sewed matching dresses for her girls, knitted sweaters, and ordered from Sears and Montgomery Wards catalogs. She also worked part time, baked 12 loaves of bread a week. Unwavering in her faith, she was often seen walking to church with babies in buggy and children by her side.

The family moved from Nome to Sitka for daughter Ellen’s medical care at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital. Carrying on her father’s example, she encouraged the arts through singing and music lessons. Her older girls went on to perform as the Blatchford Sisters. Mabel cared for others, often inviting homesick students from Mt. Edgecumbe to feast with her when she received boxes of Native food from up North. When the family moved to Seward, she proved to be an avid fisherwoman, often catching the limits while other were skunked.

She was an avid berry picker, traveling all over the countryside to find the best berry patches.

Her sense of fun was infectious. She won a costume contest coming out dressed as the California raisen while dancing to “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” On another occasion at home, she wore (including on her head) every bit of jewelry she could find and sat there innocently as the family howled with laughter.

Mabel is survived by her children, Ellen Setters, Jeanie Greene (Dennis), Judith Sweeney, Kennth Blatchford, Patricia Blatchford, and Ruthie Stanley (Brian), Her sister Vera’s children: Donna M. Huff-Ahvakana, Warren P. Huff, Alfred Wm. Huff, Reginald S. Joule, and Beverly Gelzer, and half-sister Annie. She was known as Nana to 22 grandchildren, 37 great, grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Ningealook Blatchford, daughters Pearl Joule, Barbara Barnes, Grandson Tony Deer, brother Reginald Lieb Joule, sister Vera Mary Joule Huff Gelzer, brother Sylvester (Buddy) Joule, half-sister Millie Bond.

To Mom.
Your beauty physical and inner beauty is unsurpassed;
your love immeasurable.
In you we see Christ.
We rejoice as you and Dad are together again.

Your children

Seward resident Frances Marion Trevethan, 92, died peacefully in Anchorage on November 16, 2010. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 4, at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Seward, Pastor Ron Nitz officiating with reception following.

Frances was born December 10, 1917 in Anchorage to Danish immigrants Andrew and Johanna Horton. Andrew “Cap” Horton was commissioned by Colonel Mears in 1914 to establish dock terminals for the Alaska Railroad. The Horton family moved to Seward in 1920. Frances was the youngest of six Horton children. The family lived in one of four government homes which still stand today at Third and A Street in Seward.

In 1934 Frances married Murl Trevethan. They built their home in Seward during World War II where they raised seven children. The family enjoyed  spending time at their cabin in Cooper Landing, skiing, hunting, clam digging, and picking blueberries and currants. Their large garden provided enough fresh vegetables for the winter. Frances was famous for her “nary a green berry” red raspberry jelly which she shared generously with family and friends. The Fourth of July was the annual Trevethan family reunion attended by over 75 family members and many former Seward residents. Frances, the family matriarch of hospitality, opened her home serving her signature picnic menu. The family home has remained the favorite vacation spot for her children and grandchildren. Her quick wit and wry humor will be missed by all who knew her.

Frances was preceded in death by Murl Trevethan, her husband of 53 years, her son Bernie Trevethan, and three grandsons: Craig and Kent Lindsey and Tommy Sawyer. Frances is survived by her children Carol Ann Lindsey and Sheri Sawyer of Seward, Murlene Wilkes and Michael Trevethan of Anchorage, Susan Clarke of Eagle River, and Dawn Smith of Juneau. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, bequests may be sent to the Seward Animal Shelter at P. O. Box 2934 or to the Seward Volunteer Fire Department at P. O. Box 8040, both in Seward, Alaska 99664.

Margaret Pauline Woods, 86, died of natural causes September 13, 2010. Margaret (Marge) was born in Denver, Colorado in 1924.

Marge Woods and her husband Robert were married in 1942, they lived in Colorado, Washington state and Anchorage before settling in Moose Pass in 1950.  They called Moose Pass home for 50 plus years until moving into assisted living, first in Soldotna and most recently in Wasilla.

Marge and Bob (Glen) Woods raised three children and worked together in their family businesses.  She was a loving, kind person that liked to bake, garden and bird watching.  Their former home in Moose Pass can be spotted as having many bird houses on the outside of the garage.

A mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife and good friend, she will be missed.  She is survived by her husband Robert Woods, daughter and son-in-law, Margie and Larry of Palmer and a daughter in King Salmon, Ruth Moorcraft.  She has seven grand children and 18 great grandchildren.

Marge and Bob have been living in Wickersham House Assisted Living in Wasilla, Alaska.  In lieu of flowers they ask that donations be sent to Mat-Su Home Care and Hospice, 950 E. Bogard Rd, Ste.  132, Wasilla, AK 99654, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.  There was no service held at Marge’s request.

At the time of this posting, no pictures can be found in digital format, if you have a picture to share, please post.

Eugene Ningeulook Blatchford’s life reads like one of the Alaskan
books he was so fond of reading. He was born in Teller on October 22,
1927. His father, Percy Blatchford, originally from Cornwall, England,
traveled across Canada by foot and dog sled to the Alaskan North
where he raced and delivered mail by dogsled. He met May Herman in
Shishmaref, taught her English, fell in love and married her.
Eugene was one of 13 children born to Percy and May in Teller, Ak.
He had a natural ear for music and taught himself to play guitar by
listening to the radio. He grew up traditionally, hauling water, hunting
and fishing. when he was 15 he went to work, running heavy
equipment on the Nome Airport Construction. There he caught the eye
of Mabel Joule and would “buzz” her in an airplane as he was taking
flying instructions.

When he was 15, Alaska Territorial Guard gave him an Enfield rifle
and he became part of the coastal watch to hold off Japanese in case of
an invasion. Later this service qualified him as part of the Aleutian
campaign and he received medals and ribbons. When he was old
enough, he joined the Army and was sent to Ft. Lewis Washington for
basic training. He was assigned to the Engineer’s company where he
was sent to Germany in the final stages of WWII. Once in Germany, he
became a clerk to the company’s commanding officer. Later, Dad asked
to be transferred back to his Engineer Unit where he drove an Army
semi around the country side picking up shot-up equipment. Eugene
was always an adventurer. He wrestled for the Army European
Championship in his weight class and waterskied on the Rhine River
while in Germany.

He was father of 7, “Pop” to 22 grandchildren, 37 great,
grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. Mabel and Eugene
Blatchford were married in 1947 in Nome, then moved to Sitka for
medical care for first-born child, Ellen, at Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital. More
children followed: Barbara, Jeanie, Judi, Kenny, Patti and Ruthi.
Eugene lived life fully. While in Southeast, he held down two jobs
and supplemented groceries by hunting and fishing. When he was not
working or subsistence hunting and fishing, he shared his love for the
outdoors by taking all his little children and Mabel out to the bays and
coves for picnics and dungeons crabbing. Always the comic, Eugene
nicknamed his 6 girls with boy’s names and teased and sang funny
songs to them. The family moved to Seward right before the 1964
earthquake. In Seward he worked at the Public Works Department
driving truck and at Metco where he enjoyed steady construction
employment by Frank Dieckgraeff. Eugene worked and retired as a
Teamster and worked on the North Slope in 1968 in the early stages of
oil production and during the pipeline years.

Eugene is survived by his wife, Mabel Joule, siblings: Percy and
Daisy Blatchford of Seward, Jack Blatchford of Anchorage, Sydney and
Dawn Blatchford of Anchorage, Doc Blatchford of Palmer, Mae and Art
Brandon of Anchorage, Marjorie Gagnon of Palmer, Chris and Jay
Holmberg of Cantwell, his children, Ellen Setters, Jeanie and Dennis
Greene, Judi Sweeney, Kenneth Blatchford, Patricia Blatchford, and
Ruthi and Brian Stanley and many, many grandchildren.

Eugene was preceded in death by parents, Percy and Mae Blatchford,
sisters, Ruby Blatchford, Dolly Peters, Gloria Peck, Grace Neal, brothers
Tommy Blatchford, and Ernest Blatchford and his daughter, Barbara
Barnes, daughter, Pearl Joule, and infant son, Wesley Blatchford.
He went to heaven on September 28 at Seward Providence
Hospital. He is now pain free and in perfect health. Funeral for Eugene
is scheduled for full military honors at the Dale R. Lindsey Building on
Port Avenue in Seward, Wednesday, October 6th with Alaska Territorial
Guard medal presentation at 12:50 p.m. and funeral following at 1:00
p.m. followed with burial at the American Legion Post 5 Cemetery in
Seward. A potluck will follow back at the Lindsey terminal.

Eugene Blatchford was a powerful Christian man and prayed daily for his
family. No one never traveled without his prayer for safety on the
highway. In the words of family friend, Jamie Pullar, “The earth is a
little less bright this day but heaven is much brighter than ever before.”

By Heidi Zemach

Many in Seward responded with shock and sadness over learning of the death of former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, who died in a plane crash Monday night north of Bristol Bay. Stevens was 86. He left a huge legacy here in Seward, as well as in the State of Alaska and the U.S. where he served for four decades years.

“It really hurts because he was a good personal friend, a good friend of Seward. We’d known him for years,” said Seward Mayor Willard Dunham. “Seward was one of his favorite places, and of his first wife Ann.  Ted was a great person. It’s impossible to count all the special things he did for us. We have indeed lost a very dear friend.

Stevens was Seward’s city attorney before moving to Fairbanks early in his career, Dunham said. Later, hee directed billions of dollars in earmarks to Seward and to Alaska, bringing in more federal dollars than any other lawmaker from 2000 to 2008. He was probably the strongest advocate for Alaska had ever had in regards to the Alaska military and rewriting national fisheries legislation, Dunham said. Topping all was the creation of the Manguson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

But one of Dunham’s fondest memories of Stevens was turning the fist shovel of dirt together for the Alaska Sea Life Center building, which Stevens supported at its very inception, and continued to support for years by bringing in federal funding for its ongoing research efforts.

“It’s very sad news today, it really devastates everyone who knew the senator and the great work that he did for the state. He was a remarkable champion for Alaska’s oceans,” said Alaska Sea Life Center CEO Dr. Ian Dutton. “I think it’s fair to say that like many institutions in Alaska, if it wasn’t for his efforts I doubt that the center would exist today. He was one of those once-in-a-generation leaders who made an incredible difference.”

“It’s really a sad day, a sad day for Alaska, for this nation,” said Stevens’ longtime friend and colleague Daryl Schaefermeyer, who worked on Stevens staff in Washington DC from 1973 -79, and has known him for virtually his entire Senate career.

Most people don’t realize Stevens’ hand in statehood. He was a soliciter in the Interior Department when statehood was being worked on. He handled all that, and virtually every other aspect of Alaska’s development, Schaefermeyer said. Stevens also was instrumental in achieving the land settlement act of 1971, and thereafter the TransAlaska Pipeline. Schaefermeyer remembers listening in as Stevens phoned then Vice President Spiro Agnew and insisted that he make the tie-breaking vote that brought the pipeline to being. “It was a very direct conversation with the vice president of the United States.  It was only by Stevens’ insistance that the vice president agreed to it. I was right there in his office when that call took place, and I was in the Senate gallery for the vote.”

Stevens could work with Democrats across the aisle, was good friends with Senator Robert Byrd, of West Virginia, and employed Democrat Max Gruenberg on his own staff. His greatest dissappointments were that he never got appointed Senate Majority Leader, and that he never got to open ANWR to oil development, according to Schaefermeyer. Stevens always told you if he disagreed with you, but if he made a promise, he always stood by his word, Schaefermeyer said. “They don’t make em like that any more.”

Susan M. Kaanta
April 10 1945 ~ June 30, 2010

Sue Kaanta died on June 20, 2010 in Seward, Alaska of abdominal cancer. She was born April 10, 1945 to Melida (Mel) and Eugene (Gene) Kaanta in Anacortes, Washington. She was the only child of two only children. Both of her parents emigrated from Finland.

A Celebration of Life will be held at her home in Seward on July 4, 2010 at 5:00 p.m., with a special moment of remembrance at 7:00 p.m.

Sue graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Communications in 1967. She moved to San Francisco in 1968 and worked in advertising for Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn (BBD&O) for several years. Thereafter she had a variety of jobs, detailing boats, bookkeeping, and working for temporary office placement centers until moving to Alaska in 1977. In Anchorage she found work with Dynamic Realty and served as an in-house advertising consultant for five years. During this time Sue took trips to Spain and Finland, and sailed the Tahitian Islands.

Sue moved to Seward in 1982. She went to work as an offshore Bull Cook for Stateside Catering before being hired by AMOCO Oil Company as a Roustabout. She worked on oil platforms for five years, then quit the oilfield in 1988 to sail south in her boyfriend’s sailboat. They sailed the Pacific Coast and Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Sue returned to Seward and worked for the City of Seward Harbormaster’s office until taking early retirement in 1999. She traveled to Italy, India, New Zealand and Africa. Sue started a summer home rental business in Seward in 2008 and purchased her own 38’ motorboat in 2009. She enjoyed bringing her boat up the Inside Passage from Seattle to Alaska last summer, with friends serving as crew.

Sue loved the salt water and had the privilege of boating all her life. As a child she sailed the San Juan Islands near her home in Anacortes. She was a founding member of the Kenai Fjords Yacht Club in Seward and active in the promotion of the Mariners’ Memorial, yet to be constructed. She loved to dance and to travel, and made lasting friendships around the world. Sue’s intelligence and zest for life inspired those that knew her. She never married.

Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Mel and Gene Kaanta. She is survived by second cousins in Texas and Everett, Washington.

Memorials may be made to the 2003 Seward Centennial Mariners’ Memorial Fund, Account 70339098, First National Bank, P.O. Box 69, Seward, AK 99664.

Will be held Tuesday June 29th, 2010 at 6pm in the American Legion Cemetery.

Michael Meehan, age 60, died at the Madison Community Hospital on June 22, 2010.

He was born on June 25, 1949 at Madison to Laurence and Anna (Kreul) Meehan. He married Mary Whitethorn at Ramona, SD on October 18, 1969.

He is survived by his wife – Mary of Junius.  One son – Matthew (Heather) of Junius.  Two daughters – Meloney Meehan of Sioux Falls and Marissa (Steven) Johnson of Hartford, SD.  five grandchildren.  Two brothers – Larry of Warner, SD and Kelly of Hartford.  Five sisters -  Sheila Seitz of Everett, WA,  Maureen Lemme of Seward, AK, Eileen Dey of Miles City, MT, Erin Meehan of Kobuk, AK and Shareen Adelmann of Seward, AK.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday,  June 25, 2010 at St William Catholic Church in Ramona with Rev Michael Schneider officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

He grew up on a farm by Junius graduating from Madison High School in 1968.  He moved to Petersburg, AK in 1973 and to Seward in 1975 where he was plant manager for Icicle Seafood.  He moved back to Junius in 1996 and worked as a truck driver for B&G Transportation. He was past president of the Alaska Elks and served on the Seward City Council and as Vice Mayor.  There will be a parish scripture service at 7:00 PM on Thursday at the Weiland Funeral Chapel which is in charge of the arrangements.

To view a video tribute or send a message of sympathy visit www.weilandfuneralchapel.com

Long time Seward resident Holly Gayle Allen Eads, 56, passed away February 26, 2010 at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage.

Holly was born October 6, 1953 to Kenneth C and Evangeline Allen in Bakersfield, California. She moved to Seward with her family in 1958 prior to statehood and graducated from Seward High in 1971. Other than two years, Holly lived and enjoyed her entire life and friends in Seward.

According to her family, Holly was a true Alaskan who lived in Seward through earthquakes, floods and every weather condition imaginable. She loved it all.

Her friends will always remember her wonderful smile and that she gave the shirt off her back more than once to help others. She loved to cook and bake. There was always something extra for whoever walked through her door. She loved strays. It didn’t matter if they were four-legged or two-legged.

She was proud of her membership in Pioneers of Alaska Igloo #9. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary and Laborers Union.

Holly is survived by her daughter Deanne and husband, Aaron Moore of Kenai; grandchildren Brianna and Devon Moore; father Kenneth Allen and his wife Dorothy of California; sister Wyle Allen; brother Montgomery Allen; her companion of 14 years, Chris George and former husband Charlie Eads. She was preceded in death by her mother.

According to Holly’s wishes, her ashes will be spread in Grouse Creek this summer near the site of her first home in Seward. A remembrance is planned for this spring.

Condolences may be sent to her daughter Deanne at 1010 Steelhead Ct, Kenai, AK 99661.

Arrangements were by Evergreen Memorial Chapel.

Kevin Fred (Hamilton) Kaiakokonok

Kevin Fred (Hamilton) Kaiakokonok, 47, died peacefully on Sunday, January 10, 2010, in Anchorage, Alaska after a short illness.

 A memorial service will be at Evergreen Memorial Chapel at 737 E Street, Anchorage, on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. A potluck gathering at another location will follow and all are welcome.

 Kevin was born on April 20, 1962 in Brunswick, Georgia, to Irene Kosbruk Hamilton and Wilfred Hamilton. 

 Kevin was proud to serve in the US Army from 1979 to 1981 as a medic in Germany.  In November of 2000, Kevin married his love, Martha Agnus of Nightmute, Alaska.  His highest honor was being the father of Daniel Harrell, Ruth Powell, Basil Kaiakokonok and Nick Kaiakokonok.  His greatest love was family outings with his wife and children in the beautiful Alaskan outdoors. 

 Kevin had a consistent yet unpredictable sense of humor.  He lived and loved life passionately.  He always had a great love for all of his extended family and was proud of his Alutiiq culture. 

 Two of Kevin’s greatest interests were the original Star Trek series, although he loved anything Star Trek and the music of Elvis Presley.    He also enjoyed cooking, fishing, camping, the holidays, country music, and karaoke.  His talents included being a gifted sketch artist and maker of beautiful original stained glass creations.

 Kevin is survived by his wife and children.  He also leaves his mother, Irene Andrew of Anchorage; stepfather, Mike Baxter Sr. of Kenai; sisters: Vicki Brown, Mary Fajen, and Patsy Shaha; his brothers: John Hamilton, Oscar, Kyle and Joseph Andrew, all of Anchorage, and brothers: Robert and Carl Hamilton of Spokane, Washington. 

 He is preceded in death by his brother, Michael Baxter, Jr. and father, Wilfred Hamilton. 

 We will deeply miss his laughter, teasing, and sense of humor.

 The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who have helped and supported them during Kevin’s illness with special thanks to the community of Seward and the Kenai Eagles.  Kevin was also quick to help others when he could and your kindnesses were very much appreciated in our time of need.  Quyana.

The Seward Music Association and PTSA are pleased to announce the availability of music scholarships to support Seward and Moose Pass area  music students.   The maximum scholarship/donation is $100 per student.  Please see the attached announcement and application for additional information.  Help spread the word!

And don’t forget to order your 2010 Seward community calendar.  The calendar supports music scholarships and other music opportunities for area youth.

By Heidi Zemach for the Seward City News

Christie Eissler

Friends of Christie Eissler, who passed away August 28th at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage following a brief flu-like illness, celebrated her life at the new city outdoor pavilion September 9th. Eissler’s friends and acquaintances remembered her particularly for her generous spirit. Eissler often made it a point to remember people’s birthdays, and baked them a cake, they said. A very good cook, Eissler also made delicious fudge, and would regularly share batches with the people she knew—whether it was people at the Seward library, or friends like trumpeter Warren Eugene Smith. Facing toward Resurrection Bay, Smith played Taps in honor of Christie, who was “like a daughter” to him and used to rub his feet and massage his sore back when they visited. Smith said Eissler had an innocence about her that one wouldn’t expect from a person who had lived the hard life that she had. Christie had once studied under a famous German artist, whose name Smith couldn’t remember. But seeing her oil paintings, Smith said he realized he was in the presence of a master.

Many at the gathering knew, and appreciated Eissler’s fine bead work which was sold at the Beads and Things. Her friendship bracelets were “labors of love,” taking 13-15 hours apiece to produce, and tough enough to “last forever,” they said. Photographs of her beaded art were displayed at the memorial, but Eissler tended to shy away from photos of herself. Some library staff talked about how Christie frequently came in to rent movies to watch at night. She was a sweet, regular patron, who would be sorely missed, they said.

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John “Jack” Turnbull, 88, died peacefully August 11, 2009 of natural causes at Seward Providence Hospital.

Born in England in 1921,he came as a young boy to America, during the days of the great depression. One of six brothers, “make do or do without” was my father’s upbringing.

He lived to play his bagpipes, which led him to meet his bonnie Jean, a highland dancer, the woman he wed and to whom his devotion and loyalty never waned.
World War II came, and he became a member of the US Army’s 267th
Separate Coast Artillery Battalion. He was sent with his comrades to
the distant territory of Alaska to protect his homeland. He returned
from the wilds to his bride Jean, and his first born, a daughter, Jeannie
D. blessed the union. He uprooted his young family to pursue the American
dream, moving from Wilkinsburg PA to sunny California.

Years passed, two sons, John Craig and Jeffrey Scott were born, and a career in the aerospace industry provided well for his family. Soon after his children were raised, he lost his bonnie Jean to cancer in 1978 and then, after giving him three cherished grandchildren he lost his Jeanie D to the same in 1986. He gained loving daughters-in-law Kate and Kitty, and he loved them both, despite the fact that they both favored the shamrock to the thistle! Soon, they bore sons to his sons.

Drawn to the beauty and peace of Alaska, he followed his eldest son and
moved north. Living his last years in Seward, Alaska was a daily joy to Jack. His days were filled with attending to his flock of wild birds, kibitzing his eldest son’s many projects and devoting much of his time to writing good old
fashioned letters to family and friends all over the country.

Jack Turnbull is sorely missed by his sons Craig and Jef, their wives Kate and
Kitty, his grandchildren Ben, David, Grady, Tyler, Ethan, Joelle and Jenny. His surviving brothers Tom and George, their families and the entire Turnbull Clan share a deep, abiding pride in our fathers.

Jack will return to his bride’s resting spot in Southern California. There, a small family gathering is planned to share memories, and to honor a man of good character, personal honor, unparalled work ethic, and genuine devotion to family. Jack Turnbull, a man we’ve been blessed to call our father…and our friend.

The Dieckgraeff Family would like to express our deepest appreciation for all the support, cards, letters, flowers, prayers, and condolences during this difficult time.  We are very grateful for this wonderful community.  Thank you!

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
OPEN HOUSE
In loving memory of KEVIN WALKER
Saturday, July 25th 2:00-4:00
A Celebration of Life OPEN HOUSE will be held by the family of Kevin Walker at the home of Margaret Anderson on Saturday, July 25th from 2-4:00 PM.  Kevin passed away in Seward on Feb. 11, 2009.

Kevin Scott Walker was born in Seward on February 13, 1958, to Mark and Erma Walker, long-time Sewardites. Prone to seasickness, Kevin did not like to go out on his father’s charter fishing boats, the Breezin’ Along and Maxine, so stayed ashore working for Skip and Marie Fletcher at the Liberty Theater, establishing a lifelong friendship.

His mother developed cancer when he and brother, Eric, were very young. Believing, at the age of 10, he could help find a cure for their mom, he contacted the mayor of Los Angeles and the L.A.P.D. and remarkably they flew him down and housed him so he could attend a two-day seminar on possible cures for cancer!  While there, the mayor introduced him to Martin Milner and Kent McCord, stars of Adam-12, Kevin’s favorite TV show, and took him to Disneyland, and Dodger Stadium where he was in awe to see his name in lights!  Sadly, mom passed away the next year.

Kevin graduated from Seward High School and attended the University of Oregon, Eugene, and Univ. of London. He worked for many years in banking, as a loss investigations officer and fraud analyst, both in Oregon and Virginia.

Kevin was able to fulfill a lifelong dream visiting Egypt twice in his last year of life. Other memorable trips were to the Holocaust Museum, ascending the Washington Monument, traveling through the Appalachians, visiting Natural Bridge and Luray Caverns.

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Erma Walker, niece and nephew, Shane and Tara Stubblefield and step-brothers Mike and Bill. He is survived by siblings, Kathi Davis of Seward, Gregg (Sue) Walker of Burlington, WA; Eric (Char) Walker of Baku, Azerbaijan; step-mother Jeanette Briar McCutcheon, step-siblings Amy Garroutte, Peggy Walker,Tom (Dona), Dan (Madeline) and David Walker, nieces Erica Jones and Kimberly Walker, nephews Travis and Jeremy Stubblefield, Luke Davis, Matthew, David and Scott Walker and numerous nieces and nephews of his combined family.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the incredible staff at Providence Seward Medical Center!  We are so fortunate to have such wonderful caring medical personnel here locally.  Kevin always received the best of care and he knew it came from the heart. He simply wanted to come home for his final days and they made it possible, being there with him every step of his journey.

Deepest thanks also to all who gave their support to Kevin and his family through these trying times – Margaret Anderson, Deb Bond, Laura Conant, Marie Fletcher, Linda Ferkinhoff, Joanne Frye, Elaine & Brian Hutchison, Susan St.Amand, Susie Urbach, Dona & Tom Walker and so many others too numerous to count, but not forgotten.  Kevin was a kind, gentle soul who has left behind many friends and family members who loved him.  His shy smile, kind heart and dry wit will be sorely missed.