Arnold Wesley “Wes” Hamrick

Arnold Wesley “Wes” Hamrick

Wes Hamrick died October 24th, 2021, in Show Low, AZ.

Wes grew up around the Butte, and graduated from Palmer High in 1972. He was well-known in the snowmachining community: as a founder of the Mat-Su Motor Mushers, as Tech and Race Director for the Iron Dog, as inaugural president of The Alaska State Snowmobile Association, and as a builder of the Big Lake area trail system. He was also known to have a philosophy of “my way or the highway,” and cut ties with most friends and family over time. In his later years, he became a semi-professional singer-songwriter in Arizona.

Wes fell victim to misinformation about COVID which led him to not get vaccinated or take recommended precautions; he died of COVID pneumonia in an improvised ICU in Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Garner and Germaine Hamrick; his brother, Wally Morris; and his sister, Kathy Fleming. He is survived by his children, Marissa Hamrick, Jared Hamrick, and Larry Baldwin; partner, Elwanda Hamrick; sister, Carole Milstead, and former wife, Yvonne Pitzer (née Nilles). An interment service is planned for spring at Angelus Memorial Park in Anchorage.

In lieu of flowers, please vaccinate your loved ones.