John Howard Gilbert Jr.

Houston resident John Howard Gilbert Jr., 59, died July 13, 2012, at his residence.

John was born Aug. 15, 1952, in Portland, Ore. He grew up in Portland and served honorably in the U.S. Army. He lived in Seattle prior to moving to Alaska in 1979.

He first resided in Anchorage before moving to the Mat-Su Valley, where he lived for the last 18 years. He was self-employed, operating Valley Upholstery. He enjoyed fishing, camping and mildewing.

John is survived by his daughters, Hether Petersen of Houston and Mary Kay and her husband Shawn Doherty of Natchez, Miss.; grandson, Charles “Chaz” Jackson of Natchez; granddaughter, Sydney Jackson of Natchez; sister and family, Joan and Steve Hartwell and family of Portland; brother and family, Donald Ray and Cathy Gilbert and family of Mulino, Ore.; sister and family, Jane and Gus Morales and family of El Paso, Texas; sister and family, Jean Gilbert and family of Milwaukee, Ore.; and brother and family, David and Tara Gilbert and family of Gladstone, Ore.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ellena Faye Gilbert; father, John Howard Gilbert, Sr.; daughter, Ellena Coryn Gilbert; and his hero, John Wayne.

Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Alaska. An online guestbook can be signed at alaskacremation.com.