James Mooney

James &#8220Jim” Edward Mooney III, 43, died Aug. 14 at home in Big Lake.

A viewing will begin at 10 a.m. Aug. 21 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Colony Chapel on Colony Way in Palmer. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Bishop Ronald Jones will officiate. Pallbearers will be Eric Odegaard, Tim Flannery, Eric Lee, David Mischia, Billy Mooney and Dwayne Mooney. Honorary pallbearers are Adam Mooney, Tony Slaydon and John T. Hollis Jr. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery.

Mooney was born Oct. 1, 1963, in Miami, Fla., and attended college at the University of Maryland. He served in the U.S. Army from February 1986 to May 2004, retiring after over 20 years of honorable service, after which time he came to Alaska, living in Anchorage and finally Big Lake. He worked at Schucks Auto Parts from July 2004 until his death and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Willow Ward. He lived for the outdoors and loved to go four-wheeling with his son.

Mooney lived life on his own terms. He was a loyal friend and a true mountain man who had the courage to follow his dreams. He loved to hunt bear, moose and to fish. He loved the majestic beauty of Alaska. The Army first brought Mooney and his family to Alaska in 1999, but his heart brought him back in 2004. He will be greatly missed by all those who loved him and called him friend.

Mooney is survived by wife Tanya and son Adam Mooney of Big Lake; son Tony Slaydon of Fayetteville, N.C.; mother Julie Mischia of Miami; brothers Bill Mooney of Florida, David Mischia of Miami and Dwayne Mooney of Tennessee; sister Wanda (Mario) Turano of Illinois; step-mothers Lois Mooney of Iowa and Audrey Barber of Florida; grandmother Mary Alice Adams of Florida; and sister Sheila Dubberly of Florida. His father, James Edward Mooney Jr., and grandparents, James Edward Mooney Sr. and Blanche Mooney, preceded him in death.

Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions in his memory to Memorial Fund No. 1343227 at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union in the name of Adam Mooney.

Valley Funeral Home & Crematory of Wasilla and Palmer is assisting the family.