HOWARD EARL McCALLISTER

Wasilla resident Howard Earl McCallister, 79, died Sept. 30, 2003, at Valley Hospital after a long illness.

At his request no memorial service will be held.

Mr. McCallister was born Oct. 10, 1923, in Spartenburg, N.C., to Jessie and Nettie McCallister. In 1943 Mr. McCallister was inducted to the United States Naval Service where he served as a pharmacist mate. Mr. McCallister was awarded the American Area Camp Medal Asiatic-Pacific Camp Medal 1 Star and the Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged after serving in Shanghai and China.

Mr. McCallister attended Wofford College and received a bachelor of science degree in education. Following graduation he spent one year teaching at Ellerbe High School in Livingston, S.C. In 1951-52 Mr. McCallister worked for the Department of Social Services in Colorado. He ventured to Alaska in 1953 where he taught school in Akhiok for two years. In 1955 he moved to Homer and taught sixth grade. In the fall of 1956 he moved to Wasilla and taught in the Wasilla Territorial School for two years. In 1958 he moved to Palmer and taught for Palmer Territorial Schools. Upon statehood in 1959 he went to work for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District until his retirement in 1976. During his tenure as a teacher he received a master's degree in education from the University of Alaska.

Mr. McCallister homesteaded on Jacobsen Lake in 1956. After retiring in 1976 he was instrumental in creating and building Jacobsen Lake Nursery. His passion was flowers and gardening. His friends said, "Howard was the flower and gardening consultant for many friends and neighbors. His expertise was acknowledged and appreciated by all who knew him."

Mr. McCallister was well known and respected for his volunteer work in the Mat-Su Valley. He was very involved in elections, spelling bees and was the chairman of the Wasilla Beautification Project in the 1980s. The beautiful tree adjacent to the Dorothy Page Museum is often referred to as "Howard's Tree." He planted the tree as part of the Wasilla Beautification Project.

He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law James and Bobbi Su McCallister of Lanett, Ala.; several nieces and nephews, as well as his friends, neighbors and his adopted Alaska family.

Memorial donations may be made to the Howard McCallister Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo account no. 3376653279. Proceeds of this fund will be donated to the Central Mat-Su Emergency Medical Services for their continuing efforts in assisting in emergency situations. Or you may send them to P.O. Box 870601 Wasilla, AK 99687.

Arrangements were handled by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.