March 6, 2007

Arnold James ‘AJ' Cathey

Arnold James &#8220AJ” Cathey, 23, a caring, ambitious and driven young man, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007, while in Honolulu.

He was a very hard working and determined individual who knew what he wanted and made sacrifices in order to achieve his goals, his family writes. He always took pride in his work and any task he was doing, wanting things to be perfect. He kept his things neat and orderly, even having his paperwork filed. He liked trying different things to challenge himself and enjoyed new experiences.

He always had a great athletic ability and his competitive spirit enabled him to prove his ability to others. He could stand flat-footed and do a back flip without using his hands at all! He wrestled freestyle in elementary and middle school, earning many medals and plaques. Early in high school, he wrestled and showed tremendous potential, but chose not to stick with the sport. It was then he began to get serious about weightlifting.

By the end of his junior year, he had a bench press of 350 lbs. He was recognized for making the 750 lbs club, which included a combination of bench press, squat and power clean, an accomplishment only few people had achieved in school history at that time.

He always wanted to be the best at whatever he did, which is something that he got from his father who had a great deal of influence in his life. He was a charming person, creative, and full of positive energy. He had a strong desire to succeed and accomplish many things in life. He had a perfect smile and his personality was that of a thoughtful, easy going and respectful young man. He took pride in his appearance and had a unique sense of style that set himself apart. He was truly an independent thinker who was not easily influenced by what others thought or said, a true individual.

He was interested in learning more about his Native/Eskimo culture and language. He would ask his mother to teach him only a little at a time so that he would retain what was taught. He was proud of who he was and where he came from and felt it gave him strength and courage, his family writes. He had in the last few years become more in touch with the spiritual part of himself, making a conscious effort to be a better person.

He loved to spend &#8220quality time” as he called it with his family who meant the world to him. One of his main focuses in life since his father passed away was to ensure his little sisters' well being.

Arnold James Cathey was a wonderful son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend among other things and will forever be missed and loved, his family writes. The many memories he left will always be cherished by his loved ones as well as others whom he touched during his lifetime.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Edward James Cathey Jr.; and his father, Edward James Cathey Sr.

He is survived by his loving mother, Linda Cathey; grandmother, Marion Rowlett; sisters, Mary Cathey and Judy White; and brothers, Jai Cathey and James Gainey.

He also had several stepbrothers and others close enough to be family. He had many aunts, uncles and cousins.

There will be a final viewing from 12:30 to 2:45 p.m. March 9, 2007, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Palmer. The funeral service will follow, starting at 3 p.m. The burial will be at the Pioneer Cemetery in Palmer. Afterwards, there will be a potluck/reception at the Valley Harvest Church on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Donald James Smith

Palmer resident Donald James Smith, 81, died March 2, 2007, at his home in Palmer of natural causes.

A viewing will be 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 8, 2007, at Kehl's Palmer Mortuary Chapel, 209 S. Alaska St., Palmer.

A graveside service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007, at Fort Richardson National Cemetery, with Navy honors. The Rev. Norm Lindsey will officiate the graveside service.

A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2007, at the Homer Assembly of God Church. The Rev. Greg will officiate. Pallbearers will be David Smith, Don Jr. Smith, John Smith, Darrell Smith, Richard Smith, George Bartolome and John Moropoulos.

He was born Aug. 3, 1925, in Klamath Falls, Ore. He went to high school in Lewiston, Idaho, and he got his bachelor's degree in theology at Northwest College in Seattle.

He was a World War II veteran with the U.S. Navy. He moved to Alaska in 1969 and lived in Homer for 35 years. He lived in Palmer for four years.

He was a minister for the Assembly of God Church in Homer. He retired from ministry in 1997. He served as chaplain for the jail and the senior center in Homer as well as serving on the board for the library in Homer. He was involved with the ministerial association in Homer.

He enjoyed fishing for halibut and salmon, reading, hunting, picking mushrooms and berries, cooking, canning, and gardening.

His family wrote, &#8220He was a loving father to eight children and wife of 59 years. He loved Homer and the fishing and hunting. He was an avid moose hunter and deer hunting. He planted a large garden each summer and reluctantly gave some up to the moose. He was a minister with the Assemblies of God for 50 years. He loved to help the down-and-out and hopeless. He was a home-spun preacher with a lot of local flavor and humor. He will be remembered for his loving, forgiving spirit and his faith and trust in God.”

Memorial donations can go to Gateway Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 3384, Palmer, AK 99645.

He is survived by his sons, David Smith of Pocetello, Idaho, Don Jr. Smith of Portland, Ore., John Smith of Hermiston, Ore., Darrell Smith of Forest City, Iowa, and Richard Smith of Marysville, Wash.; daughters, Joyce Moropoulos of Palmer, Donna Bartolome of Honolulu and Christine Knouse of Seattle; 30 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Elaine Schubert and Donna Merkling of Lewiston, Idaho.

Local arrangements were provided by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.

Helen Gibson

Helen Gibson, 94, died March 3, 2007, at Ruthie's Assisted Home in Big Lake. She was born on Aug. 15, 1913, in Indianapolis, Ind. In the mid 1980s, she moved to Wasilla. She retired as a printer assistant in Burbank, Calif. Her hobbies included gardening roses.

Her grandson, Michael, stated, &#8220She was quiet and sweet, with her beautiful white hair, always knew what to say and give in any occasion, and was the perfect grandma. She will be loved and missed by everyone who met her, and especially by me.”

She is survived by her grandson, Michael Grant of Big Lake; grandson, Randy Grant of Houston, Texas; grandson, Gary Grant of St. Louis, Mo.; and former son-in-law, Bill Grant of Anchorage.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.

Frederick Raymond Carter

Frederick Raymond Carter, 96, died March 2, 2007, at home in Wasilla.

He was born on Feb. 3, 1911, in Fitchburg, Mass., where he lived for 94 years before coming to Alaska. He attended trade school in Worchester, Mass., and served during World War II in the 1114 command services.

On Feb. 5, 2005, he moved to Wasilla.

He was employed by Bemis Bag until 1976, retiring after 25 years. He worked for Capital Warehouse in from 1976-1991, retiring after 15 years, and also was employed by Wal-Mart for one year in 1992 until his final retirement. He was a member of the Schrock Road Community Church.

His hobbies consisted of his love for his grandkids and great-grandkids.

His family stated, &#8220He loved watching cops on T.V., and Emeril's cooking show. He was always cracking jokes and was loving and caring. He will be missed a lot.”

He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Judd-Gerry of Wasilla; granddaughter, Missy A. Gerry of Wasilla; friend, Christina Tomkins of Wasilla; son-in-law, Bill Grossnickle of Wasilla; grandson, Mark Gerry and his wife of Wasilla; nine grandchildren in Alaska, Vermont and Maine; and 19 great-grandchildren in Maine, Florida and Alaska.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Blanche Carter; grandson, Mike Billings; and Lisamarie Moore. Memorial donations may be sent to Deborah Gerry at P.O. Box 875348, Wasilla, AK 99687.

Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home and Crematory in Wasilla.