John Charles Drashner

Longtime Alaska resident John Charles Drashner, 68, passed away peacefully and went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 14, 2016, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center with his wife by his side. He spent his last days surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, extended family and many friends.

John was born on July 24, 1947, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Mary and Everett Drashner. They moved several years later to Alaska. His parents were divorced and both remarried, giving John a BIG blended family. John lived between Alaska and Florida, returning to Alaska before entering high school at West High, where he completed his education.

John remained in Alaska until his passing. He lived in Anchorage, Cantwell and Palmer while residing in Alaska, with Palmer being his home since the early ’80s.

He became a member of local Teamster Union 959 on July 8, 1971, starting a long career of driving many different vehicles for many different companies in various parts of Alaska. John loved driving and enjoyed working with many others in the road construction, fuel delivery and various other business. He started his career driving the “Haul Road” (Dalton Highway) and ended it building ice roads on the North Slope before his retirement in May 2013.

John enjoyed “tinkering” in his garage, completing projects around his house and yard, riding motorcycles and visiting with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. His “job” as Papa was taken very seriousl,y and when his grandchildren were in his presence, he loved nothing better but spending time and playing with them. Children and animals seemed to gravitate to John. He loved them all, and they seemed to sense this.

John had a very strong work ethic, a sense of humor, very patriotic and a strong faith in God. He attended church with his family until his passing. He taught Sunday School for several years, which he enjoyed thoroughly.

John is survived by his wife of 27 years, Chris; his children, Paul Bagoy, Karen Bagoy, Haley Ashburn (Jonathan), Leah Jones (Chad); son-in-law, Chris Redmon; brothers, Jack Onkka, Todd Drashner; sisters, Toni Onkka, Wendy Torbett, Danae Drashner, Alicia Loveland, Tisa Barber, Nancy Wheeler, Karla Bradshaw, Jacque Shaw; grandchildren, Geoffrey Bagoy, Cameron Redmon, Jaxon and Beckett Jones and Eleanor “Ellie” Ashburn; and many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Everett; stepfather, Karl Onkka; and brother, Dave Drashner.

A service will be held at Kings Chapel, 1701 Lucille Street, Wasilla, Alaska, on Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. The family requests in lieu of flowers, send donations to “My House,” an organization that provides homeless youth a hand up, not a hand out, at 300 N. Willow St., Wasilla, Alaska, 99654.

Arrangements are with Legacy Funeral Homes & Cremation Services.