Lafton “Lucky” Wells

Lafton “Lucky” Wells, 94, passed away on Jan. 18, 2017 with his wife Hilda at his side.

Celebration of life will be held on Jan. 21, 2016 at 1 p.m at the Palmer Pioneer Home, 250 E. Fireweed Palmer, Alaska 99645.

Lafton was born on December 14, 1922 in Wilson, North Carolina. He loved fishing, hunting, farming, catching fireflies as a boy, and even made moonshine with his father. He Join the U.S. Navy as a teen. He was a Parachute packer where he earned his nickname “lucky” where it would stick for life, because he never lost a man that he packed his parachute for. He also worked as a boil maker in the Navy and retired from the Civil Service. He moved to Alaska when it was just made a state in the U.S. He was an original Farmer & Homesteader in Eagle River Valley. He and his wife lost one of their son Terry Wells. He loved to ride horses with his son’s.

He was a master fishermen and hunter. He enjoyed gardening, and developing new species for Alaska. He was also a lifetime Member of the Shriners Club and Masonic Lodge. He also was part of the Elks Lodge Lifer. He and Hilda wintered in Yuma, AZ, Mexico, and Hawaii for many years. He loved hunting with his son Jeff. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but looked forward to his next chapter with God, and is probably teaching him how to fish. A true WWII Hero has passed and in his own words will be in the best place ever, Heaven.

Lucky is survived by his wife Hilda G. Wells, sons Stephen, Larry, and Jeff Wells; and many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.

Lucky’s ashes will be scattered at a later time in the Pacific Ocean, and placed at Fort Richardson National Cemetery on base.

Arrangements were under the direction of Valley Funeral Home & Crematory, Wasilla Chapel.