ARTHUR JACK SMITH JR.

Longtime Alaskan and Wasilla resident Arthur Jack Smith Jr., 82, died at his home June 20, 2005 of myelofibrosis. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today, at the Masonic Lodge #7 in Palmer, with Hank Dunbar officiating. Floral arrangements are welcome. He will be laid to rest in the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery.

Mr. Smith was born May 4, 1923, in Ketchum, Okla., where he was raised through high school. He owned and operated an excavating business in California and raised cattle and quarter horses. He moved to Alaska in 1955, living in Anchorage until 1980, when he made Wasilla his home.

He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union Local 302 and a Mason for 43 years. He enjoyed fishing, rodeos and flying his plane.

His family wrote, "He was a people person. He had a lot of friends and everyone liked him. He always had a joke to tell."

His mother and father, Callie and Arthur Smith; brothers, Robert, Jim and Bill Smith, and sister, Zetta Pool, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Smith of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Lee Bray of Anchorage; sisters, Betty Emory and husband, Charles, of Palmer and Maxine Saska of Vinita, Okla.; brother, Harvey Smith of Antioch, Calif., and a special friend, Frank Hillier.

Many nieces and nephews also survive him.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mat-Su, 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Wasilla, AK 99654. Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.