VONDOLEE SHEPPARD PAGE

Vondolee Sheppard Page died in Aztec, N.M., on March 21, 2001 of cancer. He was a longtime resident of Alaska and a major contributor of the community of Wasilla.

Mr. Page was buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery with full military honors. A local memorial in his honor is planned for May 20 at Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race headquarters.

Mr. Page served as superintendent of the Mat-Su Borough from the mid 1960s until his retirement in 1979. During that time he was one of the earliest members of the Aurora Dog Mushers and helped create the Wasilla- Knik Historical Society and the Mushers Hall of Fame.

His wife, Dorothy Page, served on the Wasilla City Council for many years and as mayor of Wasilla.

Mr. Page's greatest contribution was perhaps being, with his second wife, Dorothy, one of the co-founders of the Iditarod Trail Race. He served as president for three consecutive years.

His family wrote: "He, along with a few others, kept the race alive in the early years and saw it through difficult times. Without his contribution it is doubtful Alaska would have the state treasure that it has in the Iditarod Trail Race."

Mr. Page, the first son of Carl Monroe and Mary Lou Moon, was born May 21, 1910, at Marysville, Texas. When he was six months old, the family moved to Pleasant Hill, N.M. The following are his siblings: Travis Morris Page, born on Aug. 29, 1911; Velma Leota, born on Aug. 29, 1911 at Maryville, Texas. Juanita Fern, born on Nov. 20, 1918 at Plain, N.M.

In 1928, Mr. Page graduated from high school at Pleasant Hill, N.M. He was on the state all-star basketball team for two years and also served as a member of the state championship debate team.

Mr. Page attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M. for two years and then started teaching school at the age of 20 in Fort Sumner, N.M.

There he met and married his first wife, Frances Mildred Page. Mr. Page went on to teach in New Mexico for 16 years and served in administration for 14 years.

In 1934 Mr. Page received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, with a major in political science. In 1949, he received a master of arts degree from the same school, with a major in school administration.

He also attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., and the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, where he went on to teach.

At the outbreak of World War II, Mr. Page volunteered for military service as a private and served in the infantry and the Corps of Engineers. He retired on May 21, 1970 as a colonel, U.S.A.R. During his Army career, he earned medals as an expert rifleman and machine gunner.

His family wrote: "At one time Von was an avid sportsman and a mountain climber. Along with another Santa Fean, Harold Walters, he is credited with having determined and climbed the highest mountain peak in New Mexico, Wheeler Peak. It was formerly thought that Truchas Peak was the tallest and his discovery changed the history books."

Mr. Page served seven years as a representative of the National Board of Directors of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, representing New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Mr. Page was nominated and awarded the honor of being the 1971 winner of the Personalities of the West and Midwest magazine and was featured in the 1971 edition of the same magazine.

Gov. Egan gave him a Certificate of Merit for his contribution to the state of Alaska upon his retirement from his superintendent position in the Mat-Su Borough. Over all, Von Page received many awards for his contribution to society.

One of his most treasured accomplishments was the book he published on his genealogy. After retirement he spent many years traveling and compiling his family's history. The book is titled "Pages In History."

His family wrote: "The impact he left on his family and friends is a treasured one, full of memories of times shared. The impact he left on the Mat-Su Valley is valuable; he was a part of the school system, Iditarod Trail Race, Aurora Dog Mushers, the Historical Society, he contributed to their success. He was a joyful, sincere, and humorous man, with many talents, such as music, artistry, and writing."

Von Page is survived by his daughter, Marie Ann Page of Clovis, N.M., and her five children: Scott Tucker of Carson City, Nev., Patricia Tucker-Kash of Carson City, Nev., Karen M. Tucker-Chenault of Bloomfield, N.M., Ross Crawford of Meadow Lakes, and Edward Tucker of Carson City, Nev. His grandson, Ross Crawford, serves as an LT on the Meadow Lakes Fire Department.