DONALD C. McLANE

Longtime Alaska resident, Donald Clark McLane, 45, died March 5, 2004, of a sudden heart attack, at his home in Houston.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will take place on Sunday at the home he shared with longtime companion Joanie Douville, with close friend Lynn Hoover officiating.

Mr. McLane was born Nov. 19, 1959, in Newport, Ore. He moved to Alaska in 1980 and began working for Alaska Terminals in Anchorage as a master crater, and held various other jobs within the fishing industry. He later became a certified technician in the move and set-up of mobile homes. In 1997, Mr. McLane moved to the Houston area and became employed with Homesteade's Truss Plant as a sawyer, where he continued to work until his death.

His loved ones said, "Don loved fishing, hunting, bonfires and barbecues with friends. He had a sense of humor that went on forever and kept us laughing for days on end. This was matched by his compassion for others. He considered his co-workers at SBS as his second family and would always say with a smile, 'I get to go to work now' as he departed for work. He would always go out of his way to help anyone in need. Don was always looking out for his neighbors and would be the first to greet new ones with a smile and offer his help with just a call. He was the most kind-hearted person and we were honored to know him. Although he is no longer with us, he will never really be gone in our hearts. His memory will live on forever."

He is survived by his companion, Joanie Douville; his parents, Lyle and Norma McLane, of Belfair, Wash.; sisters, Laurie Morrison, and her husband, Ken, of Houston, Linda Deny of Anchorage and Lisa Johnson of Remer, Minn.; and his children, Christina and John McLane of Shasta Lake, Calif., and Windy McLane of Spokane, Wash.

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