Jayson Leon McKeel

Jayson Leon McKeel, 63, died July 8, 2012, after a long fight with cancer at his home in Big Lake with his family by his side. Services were at Mid Valley Senior Center on July 21.

Jayson was born Feb. 23, 1949, in Portland Ore.

He came to Alaska in 1951, lived in Anchorage on C Street until 1961 and worked for Island Underground Services as a dozer operator.

He returned to the area in 1978 and worked for the Forest Service and as a cook at the Houston Senior Center.

He lived in Willow from 2005 to 2009. He moved to Big Lake in 2009, where he lived until his death.

He was winner of the Big Lake Chili Cook Off and loved fishing, gold mining, camping and snowmachining.

Jayson loved Jesus and is with him always.

He was always kind and generous to others and had the ability to love unconditionally. He loved Alaska and knew that there was gold on Sleeping Lady, although he never got the chance to get any of it. He had many friends, loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Surviving are his wife, Cindy McKeel; son, Jared McKeel; and his first grandson, Jayce McKeel.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Jay and Polly McKeel.

Instead of flowers, send memorial donations to the McKeel family, 5717 Timberline Dr., Wasilla AK 99654.

His ashes will be scattered at Sleeping Lady at a later date in a private ceremony with family.