Garry Wayne Keller

Garry Wayne Keller, 53, lost his battle with depression on April 22, 2015, at his home in Big Lake.

Memorial services are at 7 p.m., April 27, at First Presbyterian Church, 1375 Bogard Road, Wasilla. The Rev. Bert Hall will officiate.

Garry was born Sept. 7, 1961, in Snoqualmie, Wash. Garry continued his education earning associate degrees in fisheries science, criminal justice and radiology technology. Moving to Alaska in 1986, he lived in Juneau, Soldotna, Wasilla and North Pole, before finally moving to Big Lake in 2013.

He spent 27 years in EMS and firefighting service. He was a Boy Scout leader and co-captain of Little League baseball and soccer teams. Over the years, Garry was employed by Fish and Game in Alaska and Washington, as a radiology tech, a funeral director, fire equipment inspection tech, maintenance tech and any other job you can think of.

Garry was remembered for his exceptional productivity and good host attitude while working at the Forest Visitors Center at Mendenhall and Auke Village campgrounds near Juneau. He received appreciation for support in March Wind Storm in 2003 and an appreciation for service in the School Fire Wise Program and for his volunteer service in North Pole.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, antler carving, woodworking of all types, fly fishing, camping and four-wheeling.

Garry’s family asks that you go on his Facebook page. “He was always ready to help friends, family, and people in distress.”

Garry is survived by his wife, Brenda, and son, Ryan of Big Lake; parents, Bill and Shirley Keller of Sequim, Wash.; brother and sister-in-law, Kent and Nerica Keller of Sequim, Wash.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jane and Don Payton of Wasilla; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Larry and Sharon Adams of Beaver, Wash.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ronda and Grant Bacon of Maple Falls, Wash., and several aunts, uncles, nieces and a nephew.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to any suicide prevention program.

Arrangements by Cremation Society of Alaska/Mat-Su. Words of comfort can be shared with the family at alaskacremation.com