Joel T. Lockman

Passed away January 30, 2019, from complications due to Parkinson’s disease. A service will be held at Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary, 209 S. Alaska St., Palmer at 6:00pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, with a reception immediately following the service.

Joel was born on October 29, 1950 in Walla Walla, WA to Margaret and Arden Lockman. He grew up in California where he graduated from Fresno High School in 1968. Joel received a BA in Music Performance and Composition from the University of California Fresno. He traveled internationally with friends, and often spoke of his adventures. He moved to Alaska in 1978 and met the love of his life, Janet Adeszko, in 1979 in Fairbanks. They got married on June 21, 1980.

Joel played the string bass and spent his life as a professional musician. Janet called his string bass his “other woman.” He performed with many different musicians on many gigs throughout his whole life.

Joel also did many other jobs to provide for his family. These included line chef, office worker, radio technician, and he even played Santa a few times. He has lived in Fairbanks, North Pole, Eagle River and Palmer. In 2010, Parkinson’s caused him to retire, though he continued to play music when he could.

When his children attended Mirror Lake Middle school, he volunteered to help with jazz band and other musical studies. He was a member of the Chugiak Community Band. More recently, Joel volunteered at the Mat-Su Senior Center in Palmer.

His family wrote, “Joel touched so many lives in a positive way. His perfectly timed, comedic pauses and quirky jokes spread many a sly smile among his peers and acquaintances. He was a proud man who fought hard to keep his Parkinson’s at bay. All the way to the end, he did not want to succumb to the disease.”

Joel is survived by his wife Janet Lockman and his children, Zachary, Natasha, and Jacqui Lockman, all of Palmer, Alaska; and his brother, Arden Lockman Jr. of Weaverville, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Arden Lockman Sr, and his brother Daniel Lockman.