May 21, 2006

James Robert

Sanford

James Robert Sanford died at his home in Willow during the early morning of May 11, 2006.

He spent a large part of his 34-year Alaska residency as a well-respected and well-loved part of the Willow community, contributing both publicly and behind the scenes to make Willow a better place to live.

For many years, he served as president and neighborhood representative of the Willow Area Civic Organization, was active in founding and supporting the community schools program, played and coached for the local softball team, and was an enthusiastic volunteer toward all other phases of community life. He was a kind and gentle person, a good listener, and always was among the first to lend support and a helping hand to those in need or crisis.

He was a veteran, serving his country for three years as a Marine Corps Master Sergeant during the Vietnam conflict, and was wounded twice in the course of duty. A few years after moving to Alaska, Jim was hired to work on the historic Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. In years following, Jim frequently traveled to rural districts throughout Alaska, including Kuskokwim villages, Southeast, and the community of St. Paul Island, to rehabilitate and weatherize older homes and buildings. He worked with his hands professionally, mainly as a carpenter and plumber, and several historical buildings in Alaska owe their upgraded status to Jim Sanford's skillful touch. Jim adapted well and readily to the Native village areas of Alaska, and was loved and respected in the communities in which he was a guest.

James is survived by his father, George Sanford, of St. Anthony, Minn.; a brother, John Sanford, who lives in Germany; his former spouse, Wendy Kamrass of Portland, Ore.; and his son, Jason M. Kamrass, also of Portland.

A memorial gathering in remembrance of the life of Jim Sanford is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2006, at the Willow Community Center.

ANDREW JOSEPH BROWN

Andrew Joseph Brown died Wednesday, May 17, 2006, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital.

A funeral service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday May 22, 2006, at the First Baptist Church of Wasilla on Bogard Road and Leatherleaf Loop.

The Rev. Fred Stroud will officiate. Interment will be at Aurora Cemetery in Wasilla.

Andrew, the infant son of Lisa Rose and Robert Michael Brown of Wasilla, also is survived by two brothers, Aaron Michael and Christopher Robert Brown, also of Wasilla; paternal grandparents, Michael Brown of Boise, Idaho; Diane Parke of Casper, Wyo.; maternal grandparents, Joslyn Hendryx of Denver and James Hendryx of Rawlins, Wyo.; great-grandmothers, Ruth Ritz of Saint Genevieve, Mo., and Carol Brown of Greely, Colo.; aunts, Tiffany Brown of Anchorage, and Dannika and Aria Brown of Boise; and uncle, James Hendryx of Denver.

Memorial donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 874533, Wasilla 99687.

Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family.