JOSE R. GAITAN JR.

Jose R. Gaitan Jr., 54, died Oct. 27, 2004, at his home in Palmer, of cancer.

Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, at the Family Christian Center in Palmer, and the service will take place at 3 p.m., with a celebration of life to follow at the Gold Miner's Hotel restaurant banquet room. Pastor Peter Gallarde will officiate. Pallbearers will be James Heathman, Aaron Helie, Kim Bertell, Rich Schober, Cathy Kellergher and Patty Mason.

Mr. Gaitan was born June 22, 1950, in Fort Stockton, Texas.

He began his Alaska residency in Anchorage, where he lived from 1973-1985 before moving to Palmer in 1985.

Mr. Gaitan worked from 1973-1985 at the Anchorage Airport, worked two years in civil service, and then worked at Valley Hospital in Palmer from 1985-2004.

He loved landscaping and yard work and helping others.

His family wrote, "His generosity and kind heart were an inspiration to his friends and family. He will truly be missed and was loved by so many."

Mr. Gaitan is survived by his daughter, Benita H. Gaitan of Palmer; sisters, Ernestina Nasholm of Anchorage, Aurora Gaitan, Elida Lara, Olga Hernandez, and MaryLou Gaitan, all of Odessa, Texas; brother, Joey Garza Gaitan of Odessa, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends and co-workers.

Interment will be at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery in Palmer.

Arrangements were with Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.