DAVID J. RAMAGE

Longtime Palmer resident David James Ramage, 78, died at home Jan. 21, 2005.

Mr. Ramage was born June 29, 1926, in Yakima, Wash. He served in the Navy during and after World War II, from 1943 to 1946. He arrived in Anchorage in April 1964, soon after the earthquake, and started a homestead near Kenny Lake.

Mr. Ramage worked on the distant early warning line, for Boeing Aircraft and for the electrical power generation industry for more than 22 years before retiring as a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1982.

His family wrote, "He was an avid gardener and he enjoyed fishing, but above all, he was a hardworking father, grandfather, great-grandfather and partner to Rachel Smith, with whom he shared a very close and loving relationship. He never hesitated to make sure his family knew how much he loved them."

Mr. Ramage is survived by his partner, Rachel Smith; children, Carol Dryer, Cheri Land and Roger and Larry Ramage; grandchildren, Steven, Daniel, Robert, Kelly, Franchesca, David, Erin, Zeb, David R. and Bobby, and countless great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews all across the country. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Blanche and Hester, and by his brother, John.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.