JOHN S. PANGBORN

Big Lake resident John Sager Pangborn, 68, died from liver cancer Jan. 8, 2001, at the home of Bret and Nancy Burroughs in Anchorage.

Mr. Pangborn was born Aug. 17, 1932, in Seattle. He originally moved to Fairbanks as a manager for the Singer Sewing Machine Co. His work history in Fairbanks and Anchorage included jobs as a ski instructor and various sales positions. Mr. Pangborn also owned the Swenson's Ice Cream parlor in Anchorage.

His family wrote: "John's passions in life were hunting and fishing. He owned and operated Alaska Big Game Hunts for 15 years, with a long record of successful hunts, many of which were Boone and Crockett records, logging over 2,000 hours flying his Super Cubs."

In Wasilla, Mr. Pangborn was a real estate broker and owned Sager Real Estate for the last several years.

"John's joy was operating his fishing charter business, originally Deshka Day Charters, and Stump Jumper Fishing Charters; he could always find the fish," his family wrote.

Mr. Pangborn is survived by his daughters, Brenda M. Pangborn of Richland, Wash., and Debbie L. Snitzer of Kent, Wash.; five granddaughters; one great-granddaughter and one great-grandson; sister, Patricia Ervin of Mountlake Terrace, Wash.; and many loving cousins.

Mr. Pangborn's friends will hold an informal service upriver, during the king salmon season.

His family suggests any memorial donations be directed to Easter Seals or to Hospice of Anchorage.

Arrangements were made by Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage.