Obituaries

August 5, 2007

EDMOND RAYBURN

Edmond Franklin Joseph Rayburn Jr., 73, died Aug. 5, 2007, at his home in Willow.

Rayburn was born Oct. 6, 1933, in Little Rock, Ark. He attended high school in Sacramento, Calif., and continued his education to receive a degree in electronic engineering. He was also in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957. In May 1971 he began his life in Alaska, living in Halibut Cove from 1971 to 1997, then in Anchorage from 1972-1992, and finally in Willow from 1992 until his death.

Rayburn was a commercial fisherman in 1971 and 1972. He then worked in telecommunications for Alascom from 1972 until he retired in 1992. Then he owned the Paint Box Art supply store in Anchorage. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and enjoyed fishing, hunting and at one time was one of Alaska's premier oil paint artists.

He was a man for Alaska, a man of his word and took very good care of his family.

Rayburn is survived by son Daniel Rayburn of Waxahachie, Texas; daughter Felicia Jukic of Los Angeles; and sister Edrie Rayburn of Yuma, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Rayburn; brother John Rayburn; and parents Julie and Ed Rayburn. Valley Funeral Home and Crematory of Wasilla assisted with the arrangements.

GERALD KENNETH FOX

Gerald Kenneth Fox, 62 died Aug. 7, 2007, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage after suffering a heart attack.

Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at Kashwitna Community Church, Mile 75.5 Parks Highway in Willow. The Rev. J.M. Uebe will officiate, and a brief graveside service will follow.

Fox was born Feb. 2, 1949, in Amarillo, Texas, were he attended one year of college prior to joining the U.S. Navy. In 1990, he moved to Alaska, were he lived in Talkeetna. Fox was self employed doing carpet and floor work. He belonged to Kashwitna Community Church and his hobbies were riding motorcycles and fixing cars.

Fox loved the Lord and his main purpose in life was to lead as many people as possible to Jesus Christ. He was a good husband, kind and always put others first before himself. He loved Christian music, playing his guitar and telling people about the Lord. He always had a big hug for all he met.

Fox is survived by wife Adeline Elizabeth Fox of Talkeetna; daughters Lori Susan Freeman of Talkeetna and Rebecca Jean Fox of Texas; son Brian Fox of Talkeetna; stepdaughters Judith E. Peterson of Texas and Terry Lynn Cline of Talkeetna; stepsons Earl Cliver Jr. of Anchorage, Charles H. Smith of Arizona and John Allen Mills of Texas; brother Nathan Louis Fox of Texas; and many grandchildren.

Flowers are welcome at the service. Interment will be at Kashwitna Community cemetery.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.

MARIAN GRACE BUCKWALTER

Marian Grace Buckwalter of Big Lake, a lifelong Alaska resident, died Aug. 6, 2007, at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. She was 71.

A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Aug. 15, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Kehl's Palmer Mortuary, 209 S. Alaska St., Palmer. At a graveside service, pallbearers will include Merle Buckwalter, Daniel Buckwalter, Phillip Moore, Richard Kruger, Vern Powell and Chris Powell.

Born Dec. 16, 1935, Buckwalter was the third baby born at Palmer Hospital to original colonists. The house she lived in as a child is now on the Alaska State Fairgrounds, known as MacNeven House, which serves as the fairgrounds office.

In her teens, Buckwalter moved to Anchorage and met the love of her life, Merle. They started their life together, side by side, working hard to build a nice home for their family on their Hillside homestead. They endured the hardships of Alaska winters and prevailed.

She loved to crochet and made beautiful blankets. She also made dolls of all sorts and collected bells of every kind, some quite unique. Her main interest was her family, and she made sure they were always healthy and happy. She loved to cook big meals when her family gathered together.

Buckwalter is survived by her husband of 54 years, Merle Buckwalter; children David Buckwalter, Daniel Buckwalter, Linda Moore, Tina Kruger and Marianne Larson; 17 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her twin sons at their birth; daughter Lorrie Swangel; and siblings Donald, Vern, Archie and George MacNeven, Margret Powell and Barbara Thomas.

Donations are suggested to Hospice of Mat-Su, 950 E. Bogard Road, Suite 132, Wasilla, 99654.

Send condolences to PO Box 520274, Big Lake, AK 99652.

Local arrangements were provided by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary.