Patrick Dale Varney

Patrick Dale Varney

Longtime Willow resident Patrick Dale Varney, 65, passed away peacefully at his home on April 5, 2021. Pat was born March 11, 1956, in Peoria, Arizona, to Dale and Pacey (Helen) Varney.

Pat and his parents traveled the Alcan Highway to homestead the Goose Creek area in 1959, where they built a log cabin and proved up their 160-acre homestead. In 1967, Pat, his parents, and sisters moved to Hatcher Pass Road in Willow, where he grew up enjoying snowmachining and fast cars. Pat joined the Army National Guard when he was 17 years old, serving 6 years.

He married Barbara Crane in 1978 and they raised two sons, James and Matthew.

Pat was a hard worker, working as a mechanic, and a heavy equipment operator. He worked for the State of Alaska DOT-PF for 15 years, in addition to operating his own road maintenance business and doing freelance work.

Pat was an avid pilot who enjoyed landing planes places they probably shouldn’t go and once volunteered for the Iditarod Air Force. He loved animals, especially his dog Sweetie. Pat was a loving father and grandfather.

Pat is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, James and Callie Varney of Amado, AZ, and Matthew and Mistie Varney of Big Lake, AK; grandchildren, Dale and Sierra Varney (Big Lake), and Treyton Richey (Amado); sisters and brothers-in-law, Dala and Mike Conner of Wasilla, and Kelley and Randy Poppert of Willow; and brother and sister-in-law, Ted and Debbie Norris of Willow. He also leaves behind his great friends, Rick Manful of Willow and Judson Jones of Talkeetna.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Helen Varney.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake at 4 pm Saturday, April 17, 2021. Arrangements have been made with Legacy Funeral Home in Wasilla.