Dwight Roosevelt Coltharp

Dwight Roosevelt Coltharp Sr., 93, died of natural causes Aug. 11, 2013, at a Wasilla assisted living home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Aug. 14 at First Baptist Church in Willow, with Pastor Charles S. Worthy Sr. officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to services. Interment with full military honors will be at 2 p.m., at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jeff Bowker, Jim Bowker, Randy Bowker, Danny Coltharp, Richard Sell and Ron Nelson.

Mr. Coltharp completed 10 years of education and served in the U.S. Army from Jan. 9, 1942 to Dec. 5, 1945. He served in Luzon — American Theater, Asiatic Pacific Theater and Philippine Liberation. He received the Good Conduct Medal and a Victory Ribbon.

He was a cattle rancher prior to military service, and was a construction superintendent on large commercial jobs throughout the Midwest, prior to retirement in 1986. He was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Wasilla from 1988 to 2006, and from 2006 to 2009 was a supporter of First Baptist Church of Willow, when health would permit. His special interests and hobbies were family, church, fishing and home improvement projects.

Family members stated: “Dwight was a man who left a loving imprint on every life he touched. He was a perfectionist with high standards, but also a man with a huge heart who was always willing to help others. He readily used his construction talents (in his retirement) to put additions on family members’ homes or the church where he lovingly served the Lord. He was often referred to as ‘a big, loving teddy bear.’ He will be greatly missed.”

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy E. Coltharp; and son, Dwight R. Coltharp Jr.

Survivors are his daughter and her husband, Sherry and Charles Worthy of Wasilla; daughter-in-law, Judy Coltharp of California; sister, Aileen Wiltrout of Oregon; brothers-in-law, R.J. Textor of New Mexico and R. G. Merritt of Texas; grandchildren, their spouses and great-grandchildren, Jeff, Vicki, Maria, Megan and Braden Bowker, Jim and Peggy Bowker, Randy, Meghan, Elisabeth and Jill Bowker, Jeff and Stacey McCain, Faith and Angel Hunter, all of Wasilla, Tammy and Jeff Reinking of Florida, Danny, Heather and Dylan Coltharp of Nevada, Kelly, Richard and Jack Sell of California; great-grandson, Kertis Abersold of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel of Wasilla.