Richard A. Sonju Sr.

Richard A. Sonju Sr., 67, died Jan. 17, 2010, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center surrounded by family. The family will hold a private ceremony following his cremation with a celebration of Richard’s life to follow in Willow this summer.

Richard was born on May 23, 1942, in Anaconda, Mont., to Holmer and Vera Sonju. He graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, Wash.

Richard married Alice K. Doll of Glendive, Mont., in 1961. They moved to Seattle in 1973, where he was a journeyman carpenter and acquired skills in other construction trades. In Seattle, Richard worked on several well-known buildings, including the Kingdome. In 1983, Richard moved his family to Anchorage, fulfilling his lifelong dream, where he and his son, Richard Jr., built up a successful business, Mid State Remodeling. He closed his business in 2005 and retired to a beautiful home he constructed in Willow.

Richard greatly enjoyed carpentry. He always used high-quality materials and took the time necessary to do a first-class job. As a result, he had many regular clients.

An avid outdoorsman, Richard briefly managed a fishing lodge in Ekwok, where several celebrities were among the guests. Richard loved his pets deeply and always made sure they were cared for very well.

His family wrote, “Richard will be forever loved and remembered. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and beloved cocker spaniel Cleo. His humor will be particularly missed, especially at Christmas.”

Richard is survived by his wife of 48 years, Alice K. Sonju; their children and their spouses, Richard Sonju Jr. of Anchorage, Michael Sonju and wife Mary Baker-Sonju of Knoxville, Tenn., Larry Sonju and wife Jan of Seattle, Johna Frachey and husband Steve of Willow, Sandy Habermann and husband Mark of Anchorage, and JoJo Chacon and husband David of San Antonio, Texas; and his grandchildren, Mary Alice Sonju, Cameron and Claire Sonju, Molly and Conner Hughes, Sarah and Steven Sonju and Maddie and Zoey Chacon.

Cremation arrangements by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, Wasilla.