Alaska School Yearbooks by County
Gary L. Durling, Sr.
Former longtime Juneau resident Gary Lee Durling, Sr., 71, died on Feb. 17, 2011 in Corvallis, Ore.
Born in Henderson, Mich. on Sept. 11, 1939, he lived on a farm in Michigan with his parents, Frank and Clara Durling and graduated from Durand High School in 1958. He also lived in Wisconsin. He traveled to Alaska in 1974 in search of work on the Alaska Pipeline. He made a stopover in Juneau and never left. His family followed in 1975. Among his many jobs, he worked as a truck driver, security guard, maintenance worker, school bus driver, and for many years as a custodian at Harborview School. After retirement from the Juneau School District, he worked summers for Temsco Helicopters and Grayline of Alaska driving tourists around Juneau. He loved visiting with people and telling them stories about Alaska.
In 2007, he moved with his wife Sharon to Siletz, Oregon. He enjoyed the milder climate of Oregon, but his heart remained in Alaska and he missed it dearly. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and had attended several games at Lambeau Field.
He is survived by his loving and patient wife of 33 years, Sharon Durling of Siletz, Oregon; his mother Clara Durling of Michigan; his daughters Cathy Belanger (Mike) and Chris Hart both of Michigan; his son Gary Durling, Jr. (Shawna) and daughter Kelly Baines (Roger) both of Juneau; daughter Jessica Durling of Washington; brothers Allen Spitler (Jan) and Steve Durling (Becky) both of Michigan; sister Joyce Alberts of California; his grandchildren Mike, Matthew, and Michelle Belanger; April, Nick and DJ Hart; Daniel and Kyler Baines; Danielle and Emily Schnitzius; Justin, and Claire Durling; and 13 great grandchildren.
A celebration of life and spreading of his ashes will take place this summer in Juneau.
Brant Timm Hargrave
Brant Timm Hargrave passed away Feb. 21, 2011 in Olympia, Wash. at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer.
Timm was born in Spokane, Wash. in 1945 to Art and Celecia Hargrave. He graduated from Port Angeles High School and Washington State University. Timm proudly served in the U.S. Army and completed a tour of duty in Vietnam. In 1972, Timm married Betty “Bea” Laird and moved to Juneau shortly thereafter. He worked as a correctional officer at the Lemon Creek Correctional Center until his retirement in 1995. After retiring, Timm moved to Olympia, where he and Bea were residing at the time of his death.
Throughout his life, Timm has enjoyed bird hunting and fishing. He spent many hours playing poker and pinochle with his friends. After retiring, he rediscovered his love of golfing. Timm has always enjoyed spending time with his family, and in recent years, he loved being with his three grandchildren. He was a calm and generous guy with a wonderful sense of humor.
Timm was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Celecia Hargrave. Timm is survived by his loving wife, Bea Hargrave; children Dallas (Sarah) Hargrave of Juneau and Heidi (Keith) Gengler of Seattle; and grandchildren, Kai and Mila Hargrave of Juneau and Everly Gengler of Seattle. In addition, two brothers and one sister and their families survive him.
At Timm’s request, there will be no services. The family requests those who knew Timm take a moment to remember him and all those who served in the Vietnam War and the impact that service had on their lives.
John Anthony McNatt
John Anthony McNatt died Feb. 17, 2011, with his wife and friends at his side. He had suffered for almost a year from lung cancer, but his family wrote his death was peaceful.
John was born June 11, 1938 in Panama City, Panama. In 1956, he graduated from Balboa High School in Balboa, U.S. Canal Zone (now Panama). He joined the U.S. Army shortly after graduating, and served two years of active duty and two years in the reserves. After his Army discharge, he began a four-year apprenticeship to become a marine electrician. At different times, he worked on the locks as an electrician and as a locomotive operator. In 1968, he moved to San Jose, Calif., and worked construction for about three years. He returned to Panama and worked there until transferring to Alaska with the Federal Aviation Administration in 1978. He worked as an electrician and maintenance mechanic for the FAA until he retired in 1993.
His family wrote he enjoyed working summers at North Star Trekking, reading and playing with his two pugs, Ling and Oreo, for whom he had unconditional love.
John is survived by his wife Jo Ann; stepdaughter Toni Ainsworth; a brother in Pennsylvania; a sister in California; and grandchildren Alexis, Stephan, Keith and Roxie.
John will be cremated and his ashes will be spread at a later date.
Private funeral services for family members only will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. A reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the church, 9055 Atlin Dr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Gastineau Humane Society at 7705 Glacier Highway, Juneau AK 99801.
Russell Alan Southard
Russell Alan Southard died Feb. 7, 2011 in Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
Southard was born Oct. 19, 1962 in St. Louis, Mo. He graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School and went on to serve in the U.S. Navy.
He was preceded in death by his father, Al Southard. He is survived by his mother Joyce Southard of Desert Hot Springs; brother Randy (Teresa) of Venus, Texas; sisters Joy (Rockey) of Arlington, Texas; Kim (Pat) of Fountain, Colo. and Jana (Ross) of Juneau; nephews Garrett Mayer of Juneau and Steven Seabourn of Wisconsin; nieces Jessica Mayer of Juneau and Misty Seabourn and Dawn Fain of Texas. His family wrote he will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
No services will be held as per his wishes. His family wrote his ashes will be spread at his beloved Sandy Beach in downtown Douglas.
Linda Rae Willis Kilgore
Linda Rae Willis Kilgore passed away Feb. 7, 2011 in Eugene, Ore. of complications from pulmonary fibrosis. She was 67.
She was born March 13, 1943, in Boston to Cecil and Pauline Willis. She grew up in Alaska and graduated salutatorian in the Juneau High School class of 1960. She earned her bachelor’s and doctorial degrees in English from the University of Oregon. She launched and managed a successful board game business (Endgames) with locations in Eugene, Clackamas, Ore. and Portland, Ore. until 1991.
She married Guy Noble in 1967. They later divorced. She married Dennis Kilgore and they were also divorced.
She began her teaching career at Lane Community College in 1992 where she helped to develop online curriculum, and taught writing and composition until her retirement in 2009.
Linda enjoyed camping, river rafting and fine dining with her many friends. In recent years, she became an online game aficionado and played at a high level with friends from local and international locations.
Her large chosen family of close friends around the world survives her.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday in Eugene. Those wishing to attend may contact Sam Johnson at (541) 517-0670.
Erma Grace Lawrence
Dr. Erma Grace (Baronovich) Lawrence passed away Feb. 21, 2011 in Seattle. She was born on Aug. 2, 1912 and was a longtime resident of Ketchikan. Her funeral will be held this week in Seattle. Her memorial service will be held in Ketchikan at a date to be announced. A full obituary will follow.
