Jack R. Straayer

Jack R. Straayer, 89, was born in 1926 to Martin and Lena Straayer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the fifth of six boys.

He died in July 2015.

At 17, he lied about his age to join the Merchant Marines. Jack was very proud of his World War II combat service. He married Eugenia (Gena) Robinson in 1946 and the couple raised four children. Jack was always an artist, working in various mediums.

In the early 1970s, he opened a small silversmith shop, EL Platero, where he designed and created many beautiful pieces. Jack and Gena “ran away from home” with only a cabover camper on a pickup and what it would carry in 1976. They arrived in Anchorage in July 1976 and fell in love with Alaska. They were later followed by three of their four children. He and Gena flitted about some, managing an apartment complex in Anchorage and were caretakers for a lodge on the Kvichak River in the winter months. They finally settled in Palmer in the 1980s.

A genuine “jack-of-all-trades,” he worked and mastered many trades and talents: carpentry, interior decorating, gardening, landscaping, the art of bonsai, carving painting and any other medium that piqued his interest. Jack was also an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing with family and friends. Jack passed on July 18, leaving his wife, Eugenia, brothers Robert and Donald, sons Jack Straayer (Joyce) of Grand Rapids, MI and Jim Straayer (Linda) of Wasilla, AK, daughters Shelly Brewster (Dan) of Anchorage, Ak and Kris Thynes (Steve) of Petersburg, AK, nine grandchildren, Becky, Jack, Brooke, Brad, Leslie, Joe, Annie, Sunny and Donald, and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is at 3 p.m., Sept. 6, at the United Protestant Presbyterian Church (the log church) in Palmer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Palmer Veterans Pioneer Home Memorial Fund.