James Alonzo “Jim” Oviatt

James Alonzo “Jim” Oviatt, 84, died Jan. 12, 2012, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Jim was born Nov. 26, 1927, in Pocatello, Idaho, and was raised primarily in Utah.

There will be no services at Jim’s request and Interment will take place at Fort Richardson National Cemetery at a later date.

Jim married his devoted wife Valerie Cook on Jan. 13, 1950, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and they shared 62 years together.

Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1947 to 1948. He also served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1953 and was stationed at Elmendorf AFB from 1951 to 1952. He began working for Graybar Electric Company Inc. in 1950 in Salt Lake City and was transferred to Anchorage in 1962 to open the first sales office for the company in Alaska. He was a partner and eventually sole owner of J.P. Bagoy and associates from 1970 to 2000.

Jim lived in Anchorage for 21 years until moving to Wasilla, where he and his wife Valerie built their dream home. In his early years, he was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also belonged to the Lion’s and Elk’s clubs and the Anchorage Ski Club. He was very proud to have helped build the ski lodge at Arctic Valley and volunteered many hours and his considerable skills to help accomplish this. Jim also greatly enjoyed golfing and traveling around the United States. He was also an accomplished woodworker.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 62 years, Valerie Oviatt of Wasilla; daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and Adam Staley of Wasilla; grandchildren, James Jacobson and Shannon Palmer-Bennett of Raleigh, N.C., and Scott Jacobson and Stacy Gunnell of Wasilla; 10 great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Spencer and Dixie Oviatt; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death was his infant son, James; sisters, Elda Fitches and Faye Oviatt; and son-in-law, Daniel Jacobson.

The family requests any memorial bequests be made to the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Rd., Anchorage, AK 99507.

Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory Wasilla cared for the family.