Thomas Lee Updegraff

Longtime Alaskan and Wasilla resident Thomas Lee Updegraff, 58, died peacefully in his sleep at his residence on May 13, 2011, due to multiple health issues.

Memorial services in honor of Thomas are at 2 p.m., Friday, May 20. Rev. Duane Hanson will officiate at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 Bogard Road, Wasilla.

Thomas was born Oct. 18, 1952, in Philadelphia, Penn., son of Arthur and Phyllis (Gephart) Updegraff.

Thomas received an associate’s degree in agriculture from Penn State University. He served as a Green Beret in the Army during the Vietnam War. He moved to Alaska in 1976 and lived in Palmer and Wasilla. He worked for Moffit Farms (1976-79), and also worked for Palmer Cooperative Extension Service (1979-81). Tom also worked in various custodial and security jobs (1988-92) and retired as a supervisor with Guardian Security (1992-99). Thomas enjoyed gardening, beekeeping, collecting guns, hunting, fishing and clock making.

The family wrote, “Tom will be missed for his efforts to keep friends and family informed of events, past and present. He enjoyed cooking for family and friends, and sharing family stories. Tom had a nurturing personality and loved animals and children. His values included both being sensitive and his spirituality. He had many friends throughout the Valley and will be missed. We are thankful to have assurance he was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus and is relieved of his prolonged pain. The loyalty of his friends has been a shining example to his family, and they would like to especially thank Rick Huckstep Sr., John Koutsky, sons-in-law Mark Moeller and Brandon Fisher, Mike Morava, John Hecht, Janelle, Richard and many more over the years.”

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Phyllis Updegraff; and brother, Danny Frances Updegraff of Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Susan Updegraff of Wasilla; daughters, Ellamarie Fischer of Wasilla, Carmen Updegraff of Oceanside, Calif., Danielle Updegraff of Wasilla and Shannon DeVita of New York; son, Frederick Updegraff of Wasilla; sisters, Nancy Vroman of Pennsylvania, Cindy Oete of Pennsylvania and Kathy Campbell of Pennsylvania; and brothers, Arthur Updegraff Jr. of Pennsylvania and John Updegraff of Illinois.

Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s memory to Habitat for Humanity, 900 Hyer Spur Road, Wasilla, AK. 99654.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory Wasilla cared for the family.