Lord John Stevens Whatley

(March 24, 1941 – Oct. 17, 2016)

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Lord John Stevens Whatley passed on Oct 17, 2016. The Celebration of Life will be held Dec. 3, 2016 at 1 p.m at the LDS Church located at 9475 E. Colony Way, Palmer Alaska- located across from Colony High School.

John Whatley was born on March 24, 1941 in Tucson, Arizona at the Stork’s Nest. John was the second child of Coston and Wanda Whatley. He grew up in Tucson and attended Amphitheater High School, where he excelled in art. In 1961, he joined the Army where he became a Green Beret. In 1963, he was medically discharged for wounds received in action.

In 1985, John and his family moved to Alaska and homesteaded on the Tok cut off (now known as Slana). This was the last of the Federal Homestead Act. He built a three-story house where he and his family lived until moving to Tok, where the children participated in sports. After his children grew up, John and his wife, Pamela moved to Wasilla, living out the rest of his life there.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Wanda and father, Coston; and brother, Bill.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela; his brothers, Lee and Robert; children, Kristen, Tiffany, Brandon, and Erik; his aunt Fayjean; his grandchildren; and many close friends.