Alaska School Yearbooks by County
Robert Ray Webber
Robert Ray Webber died Sept. 7, 2010. He was born Jan. 4, 1938 in California and moved to Juneau in 1986. He worked as a printer and a cab driver in addition to spending four years in the United States Air Force.
He is survived by his daughters Patricia, Sherry, Tina, Ida, Kim, Melba, Betty and Gina; his sons Art, George and Edwin; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Chappell-Webber.
Jerry L. Madden
Jerry L. Madden died of natural causes on September 9, 2010 in Burien, Wash. after a short illness. Madden was born in Livingston, Mont. on March 22, 1934 and attended schools in Livingston and Deer Lodge. He graduated from the University of Montana in 1956 with a degree in teaching and journalism. He taught in Fort Benton and Billings, Mont. and Anchorage in the late 1950s and early 60s.
He left teaching for a career in journalism, working for the Billings Gazette, the Independent Record and the Great Falls Tribune in Montana. At the Tribune, he headed up the state capital desk, covering state government and the legislature from 1966 to 1970.
In 1971, Madden moved to Juneau to work in the Office of the Governor. During a 30-year career in the state, he headed up planning efforts in health systems, manpower development and salmon fisheries enhancement. He served as director for model cities for Juneau and was on the School Board for the Juneau Schools. His work in Alaska included the expansion of the bus system in Juneau, the development of the Twin Lakes recreation area, expansion of the emergency medical system to rural Alaska and the creation of salmon hatcheries throughout the state.
Services will be held at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Juneau at 12:10 p.m. on Sept. 24th, 2010. The family requests no flowers, but memorials may be sent in his name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society at nationalmssociety.org.
He is survived by his former wife, Mary Lou Madden of Juneau; son Mario Madden and daughter-in-law Kristy Madden of Bellevue, Wash. and nephew and niece Bill and Donna Wallace and family of Helena, Mont.
Lee Russell Hacker
Lee Russell Hacker, 66, of Juneau passed at his home on Douglas Island on Aug. 29, 2010. Born Feb. 4, 1944, in Chicago to Alfred and Gloria (Heinen) Hacker. Lee’s appreciation of music would follow him through out his life. At age 17, his talent led him to join the U.S. Naval School of Music. He served with a Navy band aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. Later, he re-enlisted and served in Korea with the 101st Army Band percussion section. He was proud of his service to his country.
Lee attended Moraine Valley Community College in Illinois, where he was personally responsible for beginning their jazz band. He majored in music theory and composition and played in the jazz and concert bands at Southern Illinois University.
Lee studied with jazz drummer Philly Joe Jones, and appeared with Clark Terry and Art Pepper. He taught many students of all ages percussion. His musical experience spanned from the 60s’ San Francisco Rock era to Chicago clubs, as a member of country band “North Forty” as well as gigs alongside his father Al in Los Angeles. He also performed in musical theater productions and symphonies in California, Washington and the Puget Sound Naval Farragut Brass. Lee’s last decade included mentorship with the Juneau Symphony, Thunder Mountain Big Band, Fleet Street, and other gigs in Juneau, Haines and Skagway. A member of the Piano Technicians Guild, Lee was an exceptional piano tuner. Lee worked as a chef, commercial potter, and enjoyed sculpting with clay and paint with watercolors.
Lee was predeceased by his brother Kurt, who was killed in action in Vietnam, his father, and, in April, his mother. He is survived by his sisters Cherie Hacker of Sacramento, Calif., Gloria Hon of Chicago and their children. Lee remained close to his first wife Maggie Swinney of Texas.
Lee was a Priesthood Disciple of Matsuoka-Roshi at the Zen Buddhist Temple of Long Beach, Calif. His dedication led to a peaceful passing surrounded by his musical family, friends and sister Cherie. His ashes were spread in Lynn Canal on Friday. There will be a memorial celebration of his life in the spring of 2011 featuring Fleet Street and others.
Gilbert "Chip" Mixson Jr.
Juneau resident Gilbert "Chip" Mixson Jr. died unexpectedly Sept. 11, 2010. He was born January 17, 1954, in Charleston, S.C. and moved with his family to Juneau when he was 14 years old.
He graduated in 1972 from Juneau-Douglas High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1972 and remained through 1975. He returned to Juneau and started working for the state of Alaska where he was employed for 30-plus years in numerous departments and positions until the time of his death. Chip met the love of his life and soulmate, Lynda, while they were working for the Department of Commerce. They were married June 22, 1985.
Family was important to Chip. He was a devoted husband and father. He was a collector of the Beatles' and a big highlight of his life was being able to attend a Paul McCartney concert in Arizona. His dream was to go to at least one more concert before McCartney retired.
Baseball was another huge part of Chip's life from being a baseball player, to managing and coaching his sons, and following his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves. He was a faithful fan, who followed them even in their losing seasons, as he loved to say. He was very active in the Gastineau Little League for many years.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed collecting coins, including researching the different ones. He loved to learn and was continually taking online courses for accounting, communications and whatever else caught his eye.
Chip's generosity and kindness will always be remembered by those who had the good fortune to meet him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert Mixson and his sister Katherine "Jo" Shipes.
He is survived by his wife; son, Stephen Mixson and wife, Alena and children, Kiana and Jalyn of Wilsonville, Ore.; daughter, Effie Branson and children, Hailey and Jaden of Newport, Ore.; son, M. Travis Miller of Juneau; and son, Zachary Mixson of Juneau; mother, Joyce Mixson of Rincon, Ga.; sisters, Belinda Ross of North Charleston, S.C. and Gina Vose of Juneau; brother, Mac Mixson and wife, Staci of Memphis, Tenn. as well as many nephews, nieces, and friends.
In honor of Chip's memory, a Celebration of Life was held from noon to 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Valley Chapel, Juneau.
Remembrances can be sent to Lynda Mixson, PO Box 34434, Juneau, AK 99803.
Rick J. Jacobsen
Rick was born in Toledo, Ore. on Nov. 2, 1946. He died Sept. 7, 2010 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico at the age of 63, following complications from a recent automobile accident.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He then got married, started a family, and moved to Alaska to seek his fortune in his brother's small motorcycle shop. That small motorcycle shop slowly grew into a successful Honda, Toyota, GMC dealership, and car rental agency. He retired in 2007 to begin another adventure in San Miguel, Mexico. He loved Mexico and its people. He taught an English class twice a week and enjoyed many adventures with his three dogs; Roma, Mocha, and Maya.
Rick gave freely of his time and money to several different charities and organizations but the one closest to his heart was the Juneau Moose Family Center 700, where he served in several different positions.
In 2008, he earned the Pilgrim Degree of Merit, the highest honor you can achieve. Rick served as the Alaska/Hawaii Moose Association President and was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 4200.
He had a multitude of interests and hobbies that included gardening, cooking, traveling and volunteer work in the communities in which he lived. He believed very strongly in hard work and giving back to the community.
Rick was a thoughtful, generous person who had a very big heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He touched many lives and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Audrey Jacobsen.
He is survived by his children; Dustin Jacobsen and Krista (Dan) Fish, his grandchildren; Nicholas, Izaac, Kaylyn, Tatiana, and Alyssa, and by his brothers, Gary Jacobsen, Royal Jacobsen, and sisters, Darla Bender and Dixie Shaver.
There will be a celebration of Rick's life at 3 p.m. Nov. 2, 2010, at the Juneau Moose Family Center.
Family and friends are all invited to attend.
