JAMES CARVER FALCONER

James Carver Falconer, 63, died Sept. 11, 2005, at his home on Finger Lake in Wasilla, from complications of cancer. A memorial open to the public will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 2 p.m., at the First Christian Church, located on the corner of Benson and La Touche, Anchorage. Officiating will be the Local Spiritual Assembly of Baha'i.

Mr. Falconer was born Aug. 1, 1942, in Tacoma, Wash.

He earned a degree in optometry from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Wash., in 1965. Military service was as an Army optometrist at Fort Lee, Va., from October 1967 to October 1968. He became a resident of Alaska in 1966, living in Anchorage for 38 years and Wasilla after that.

As an optometrist he was one of the original partners at Alaska Eye Care centers. He worked there from 1966 to the end of 2003, with the exception of a year of military service as an Army optometrist. He retired in 2004 from Alaska Eye Care.

Mr. Falconer was a member of the Baha'i faith and Wasilla Rotary member. He was formerly a member of the Anchorage Kiwanis, Jaycees, and Toastmasters and served at various times as president, treasurer and executive director of the Alaska Optometric Association. He loved cross-country and downhill skiing, bicycling, tennis and all other racquet sports.

His family wrote, "He was a very active, practical, and sincere man who was loved by his patients and friends for his sense of humor and playfulness. He always enjoyed a challenge, and he was an intense competitor when it came to games or sports. He was very proud of his wonderful wife from Bolivia, his children and grandchildren. His last years were guided by his desire to help and be near family, friends and the Baha'i faith."

Mr. Falconer was survived by his wife, Sonia Falconer; children, Jim, John, and Navid Falconer of Anchorage; grandchildren, Sara and Matthew, Nabil and Nasim, and Marlon, all of Anchorage; brother, Maynard Falconer of Anchorage, and sister, Sylvia Falconer of Greely, Colo.

Family and friends may leave memorial tributes at www.mem.com.