Jim and Sabrina Carlyle

Jim Carlyle, 53, of Wasilla, was born on March 7, 1961, in Detroit, MI. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1979. Jim built his career in repossession while raising three children. After 20-plus years, he made the switch to the oil fields where he was employed with CH2MHill. He was currently making the transition of fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a commercial pilot, where he was accepted to fly for Hageland Aviation.

Sabrina Carlyle, 48, of Wasilla, was born Feb. 24, 1966, on Mtn Home AFB, Idaho. In 1973, her family was stationed at Elmendorf AFB, where she fell in love with Alaska. As a military family, they were next stationed in Gwinn, MI. She graduated from Gwinn High School. She continued her education by attending UAA and earning her associate’s degree. Sabrina and her family never forgot the beauty of Alaska, and she later returned to stay.

Jim and Sabrina’s inseparable connection began in 1993 after being introduced to one another through a mutual friend. They moved to the Valley in 1996, where they bought their first home. On September 6, 1996, they were married in Las Vegas, which brought their children together to make a family of 7.

During their life together they enjoyed many hobbies. They loved riding their Harleys, flying their Cessna 170, hunting, fishing and camping in the RV. They were members of “Alaska H.O.G #66” and Church on the Rock in Wasilla. One of their greatest joys was becoming grandparents to four wonderful grandchildren, and they never hesitated to tell the world how proud they were.

Jim and Sabrina lost their lives together due to a motorcycle accident in Palmer on May 3, 2014.

Jim and Sabrina touched the lives of many and loved everyone they encountered.

Mom and Dad you will truly be missed!

Jim and Sabrina are survived by: five children – Jason, Kory and Marshall (and Dakota), Kyle, and Kayla; four grandchildren – Jessika, Hezekiah, Brayella and Uriah – along with nieces and nephews; Jim’s siblings – sister Diana and brother Rick (and Melinda) Carlyle.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Carole Carlye

Sabrina is survived by her parents, LeRoy and Jean Barber; and her siblings and their spouses, Sean and Cori Barber and Shane and Heather Barber.

Sabrina is preceded in death by grandparents: Mike and Leah Shaffstall and Andrew and Esther Meeker.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at noon at the Church on the Rock, 3571 W. Machen Rd., off the Parks Highway in Wasilla.

Following the services, a celebration of life potluck is planned at 4 p.m. at the Denali Harley-Davidson in Wasilla, off Parks Highway at Hyer Road.

Donations may be made to the “Carlyle Funeral Fund” at any Wells Fargo branch.

Valley Funeral Home, Wasilla Chapel, is caring for arrangements.