Jackie (Jack) Dean Cripe

Jack Cripe, 80, our beloved Husband, Dad and Grandpa, passed away Oct. 12, 2013, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Wasilla. He was cremated and buried with his wife at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery with honors on Oct. 18.

Jack was born in Perrysville, Ind., May 10, 1933, to Thomas and Mary (Sheets) Cripe. He was seventh of 12 children. After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and served proudly from 1952 to 1973, retiring with the rank of ABMC E-9 Master Chief. During his career in the Navy he met and married his wife of 60 years, Barbara. They had four daughters.

His next chapter in life was moving his family back to Kodiak, where he joined the Alaska State Troopers E-Detachment and served as a State Trooper from 1973 to 1986. After his retirement from the AST he became a self-employed locksmith and in 1995 became a fingerprint tech until 2012 when his health would no longer allow it.

Jack had always been a cowboy at heart and had enjoyed riding in rodeos as well as watching. He was a great man of many talents.

He loved his family as much as his family loved him.

Surviving are daughters, Paula (WC) Casey of Seward, Michelle (Scott) Fitchett of Wasilla and Jody (John) Venecia of Anchorage; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Phyllis Cooley of Goodland, Ind., Gladys Gottfried of Mansfield, Ohio, Joyce Bauman of Logansport, Ind., and Frances Harper, Mesa, Ariz.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Barbara; his grandson, Rees Williams; and his daughter, Kris Cripe.

Valley Funeral Home, Wasilla Chapel, graciously cared for Dad.