Rolland James Kirton Jr.

R.J. (Rolland James) Kirton Jr., 64, died April 22, 2012, at home in Wasilla surrounded by his loving family after a brave battle with cancer.

A celebration of life is at 2 p.m., April 26 at Wasilla Bible Church.

R.J. was born in Denver, Colo., Jan. 3, 1948, to parents Rolland Sr. and Elizabeth Kirton.

He moved to Wyoming at the age of 6, where he lived with his parents and sister, Barb, on a sheep ranch. R.J. served six years in the U.S. Coast Guard after graduating high school. At his last duty station in Missouri, he met his bride of 41 years, Cheryl.

In 1978, R.J. and Cheryl, along with 1-year-old son James, moved to Alaska to follow their dream to live in the Last Frontier. R.J. worked in the early 1980s as a miner at Independence Mine and in the oilfields on the North Slope for more than 25 years. He was an avid hunter, pilot, fisherman and outdoor enthusiast, but his greatest joy was his family and his love for God.

Surviving are his beloved wife and best friend, Cheryl; sons, James and his wife Michele Kirton, Tim and his wife Nui Kirton; daughter, Sarah Kirton; grandsons, Connor and Landon Kirton; sisters, Darlene Luckett, Madonna Seeley and Barbara Steffan; and a large extended family.

“If you knew him, you were blessed. If you didn’t know him, you would have been blessed had you ever met him,” the family wrote. “R.J. was an amazing man. He will live on in the hearts of all of us.”

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you keep R.J. in your thoughts by honoring Christ and valuing the people around you. A donation can also be made to Hospice Foundation of Mat-Su Inc. in his honor.

Any favorite memories, fun stories or photos can be shared with the family by emailing rjkirton@gmail.com.