MORRIS ORLANDO EWAN

Lifelong Alaskan Morris Orlando Ewan, 54, died April 14, 2002, of natural causes, at his home in Gulkana.

Visitation will be at 7 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Gulkana Chapel, with Pastor Jim Johnson officiating. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. April 20 at Gulkana Community Hall. Additional services will be at 1 p.m. April 18, at First Native Baptist Church. Jim Stickman, Chuck McMahan, Harley McMahan, John Sanford, Elmer Marshall and Bob Hendricks will serve as pallbearers. Burial will be at the Ewan family plot in the spring.

Mr. Ewan was born Jan. 29, 1948, in Palmer. He attended Glennallen High School.

He was employed clearing land with Ken Bunch in 1963, building cabins with Ken Hughes in 1964, working for American International on the Copper Valley Electric project in 1965, and for Chris Berg Construction in 1966.

Mr. Ewan was a member of Gulkana Chapel, Gulkana Shareholder Committee, Gulkana village council and CRNA Subsistence Committee, and was the Copper River housing representative.

His hobbies included all sports.

His family said, "Morris set an example for us all, showing us that we can overcome all things thrown our way and that nothing is too difficult. He really cared about our youth and their futures, acting as a tribal advocate for his village and the whole Ahtna region. Morris was an influential speaker, motivating others to take action in their roles as leaders."

Mr. Ewan is survived by his uncles, Harding Ewan and Pete Ewan; aunt, Agnes Gaskins; brothers, Markle Ewan Jr. of Anchorage, Roger Ewan and Larry Ewan both of Gulkana; sister, Eileen L. Ewan of Gulkana; nieces, Michelle Anderson, Tony Engebretson, Teri Nutter, Kimberly Ewan, Felicia Ewan and Alicia Ewan; and nephews, Michael Ewan and Kenneth Ewan.

Arrangements were made by Witzleben Family Funeral Home & Crematory.