Phillip James Kari

Long time Wasilla resident Phillip James Kari, 56, passed away the morning of May 20, 2018.

A service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla, 1375 E Bogard Rd, on May 26th at 5:00pm, reception to follow.

Phil was born on January 6, 1962 in Winton, Minnesota to Jean and Raymond Kari. He was a 1980 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in Babbit, MN. He studied Engineering at Mesabi Community College and the University of Minnesota, Institute of Technology. While rowing stroke on Minnesota Crew, he met his bride Laurie, the boat’s coxswain. They married on December 31, 1988 in Waukesha, WI.

He and his wife ventured to Alaska in 1985, where he worked for ALSCO/American Linen for 33 years.

Phil loved the great outdoors, where he enjoyed fishing and moose hunting (to his hunting friends he was “chief guide”). He was fond of music, welding, hockey, and snowmachining; placing tenth in the Iron Dog Snowmachine Race in 2006.

Friends and family knew Phil as a hardworking, funny guy with the biggest heart. He was a Trustee at First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla, a coach of youth hockey, a volunteer at Family Promise, and gave his time to trail maintenance and manning checkpoints for the Iron Dog and the Iditarod, as well as riding with the Curry Ridge Riders.

He is survived by his wife Laurie Kari, his two daughters Ruth and Grace Kari, his son-in-law Alexander Lindgren, and his siblings Arla Nummelin, Steve Kari, Tom Kari, Jane McDonald, and Nancy Sydow. He was preceded in death by his parents Jean and Raymond Kari and his brother David Kari.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Family Promise Mat-Su.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes.