Joel Steven Crabb Jr.

Longtime Wasilla resident Joel Steven Crabb Jr., 35, died unexpectedly April 18, 2012 at his home.

Private family services will be held.

Joel was born Nov. 6, 1976, to Joel Steven Crabb Sr. and Shelia D. (Hess) in Portland, Ore. He moved to Alaska in 1986 and resided in Wasilla since 1991. Joel like fishing, playing video games and loved wrestling. He was a solid-gold-hearted man. Joel lived each day and helped his mom with whatever she needed. He loved and protected all of his younger brothers and sisters. Joel had many friends, and many of those he called family.

“My brother was a big hug and a shoulder to cry on. He was someone I looked up to and an ear to talk to. He loved his nephew, my son Kenneth. Joel played and took care of him while I was at work,” wrote Rozy (aka little sister).

“Joel was a very good person and best of friends to everybody,” wrote his brother, Harold. “He was my best friend, although we fought all the time, (and) we still had good times fishing. He was the type of person who cared more for others than he did for himself. We fought all the time, but we loved each other very much. He was my only blood brother. We grew up together like cats and dogs, but we were still brothers. Later, Bro — and he caught the bigger one.”

Joel is survived by his mother, Shelia D. Smith of Wasilla; brother, Harold E. Crabb of Wasilla; sisters, Shelia D. Hess and Rozannah Smith of Wasilla; brother, Wm. Smith the first of Wasilla.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory. An online guestbook is at AlaskanFuneral.com.