GEORGE DAVID

(DAVE) PARK

Wasilla resident George David Park, 81, died of natural causes Aug. 16, 2002, in his home. A small service was held at the home of his son Philip Park on Aug. 21. Family and close friends gathered together to celebrate his life and bid him a fond farewell.

Mr. Park was born in Rock Island, Ill., on July 17, 1921. He was an ironworker by trade and served in the Navy as a ship repairman during World War II.

A long-time Alaskan, he moved here with his family in 1964, shortly after the earthquake. Work was plentiful at that time, and he found a job in Anchorage as an autobody repairman before moving his wife and family from Washington. He worked for many years at Alaska Sales and Service, and after moving from Anchorage to the Butte in 1971, he opened Dave Park and Sons Butte Autobody Repair.

His family said, "He loved to explore all that Alaska had to offer and was quite fond of prospecting the hills around Petersville, Chicken and Boundary. He loved long drives, fishing, camping with the family and visiting at the Palmer Hotel, where he liked to have his breakfast, coffee and pie. He will be missed and always remembered by all that knew and loved him."

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Park, and is forever with her now.

Surviving are his daughters, Carolyn Johnson of St. John, Ind., Rebecca Machemer of Mililani, Hawaii; sons, Herb Park of Longview, Wash., George Park of Palmer and Philip Park of Wasilla; along with 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grand children.

He loved the Matanuska Valley and his last wish was to have his ashes and those of his wife spread across Pioneer Peak so they may always have a beautiful view of the place they had come to love.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home of Wasilla.