JULIAN "JAY" JONATHAN ESCOBEDO III

Julian "Jay" Jonathan Escobedo III, 29, died Aug. 22, 2002, in Willow. A memorial mass will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Palmer at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Mr. Escobedo was born in Pasadena, Texas on Nov. 21, 1972. In May 1978, he moved to Palmer with his parents.

He graduated from Palmer High School in 1991 and was most recently a student at Charter College. He was currently working for the Alaska Mental Health Consumer Web as a computer specialist and mentor.

During high school he played the violin with the Anchorage Youth Symphony, was president of the Business Professionals of America. He was a member of the cross-country running, skiing and track teams.

He ran the Mount Marathon Race in both the Junior and Men's division. He was happiest when he was hiking in Alaska, whether it was Crow Creek Pass or climbing Flat Top. He loved the mountains, rainy days, thunder and lightning. He enjoyed all the challenges life had to offer.

Mr. Escobedo was an active advocate for mental health in Alaska. He served as a past member of the board of directors for the Mental Health Consumers Association, in which he was involved with many projects and traveled to conferences here and in the Lower 48.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather Julian Escobedo Sr.

He is survived by his wife Sheila; daughters Alaina and Sarah; his parents Julian and Anna Escobedo Jr.; brother Adam; grandparents; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Texas and California.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.