John Anthony Jr.

John Anthony Obituary

Former Alaska resident John Anthony Jr., 48, died Sept. 14, 2007, at home in Belleville, Mich.
A celebration of life and wake will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Snow Goose Restaurant in Anchorage.
Mr. Anthony was born Oct. 15, 1958, in Fairfield, Calif., to John and June Elaine Anthony. At age 14 he started working with his father at the airport cleaning airplanes. His interest in aircraft maintenance grew as he watched his father and the other mechanics at work.
He moved to Alaska with his parents in 1975 and began working as an aircraft mechanic for Great Northern Airlines in 1976. In 1979, GNA was purchased by Alaska International Air (later MarkAir). He earned his FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate and advanced to lead mechanic while working there until 1983. After a job as inspector with Seair in 1983-84, he began a 10-year career with Northern Air Cargo as A&P mechanic, shift lead mechanic and maintenance foreman.
In 1982 he married Denise Lundquist. In 1983 his daughter Kathryn was born, followed by his son John III in 1989.
In 1994, he left Alaska and moved to Tennessee where he worked for Knox Air. In 1995 he moved to Michigan and began a 12-year career with Spirit Airlines, advancing from A&P mechanic to director of maintenance.
His family wrote: "John enjoyed working hard and playing hard. He liked high-performance cars and working to make them faster. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family and was always ready with a joke or prank to make everyone laugh.
"There wasn't anything in this world that meant more to him than his family. He was the best dad anyone could ever ask for. He was a great mentor to all of his employees and co-workers. This world is at a great loss without him.
"He was a loving father, brother, son and friend."
Mr. Anthony is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Anthony of Soldotna; son, John Anthony III of Chitina; sister, Diane Hatley of Maryville, Tenn.; brother, Robert Anthony of Taylor, Mich.; loving companion, Ruth Sloan of Belleville, Mich.; and many other family members.
Friends who would like to send condolences may mail them to 44989 Eddy Hill Drive, Soldotna 99669.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Anchorage Daily News on Oct. 9, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John Anthony

8 Entries

Garrett West

October 25, 2007

The passing of John struck all of us here at Spirit Airlines very hard. He played a very important role in our day to day operations in the maintenance dept. here. His quick smile and ability to think a way through things will surely be missed. The Lord took a great man from us but now has one next to him. God Bless...

Diane Hatley

October 15, 2007

I am very saddened by the loss of John Anthony Jr. He was one of the finest people I knew. Anything he said or did was from his heart and you could count on it as the truth. In the many years I knew him I could rely on the fact that if he said he was going to do something it would be done and done correctly. John loved with all his heart. If you hurt, he hurt. Everyone that knew him was touched by his compassion for others. Although I now have a great void in my life and miss him very much I look forward to eternity with him. He has made heaven a more joyful place. I know this for a fact because I had the honor of being his sister. I love and miss you John.

Your Sis,

Diane

John Allen

October 13, 2007

I was very surprised and sad to here about John's death. He was a great friend and leader. We spent many good hours working the graveyard shift together at NAC. He will be missed.

Paul Willing

October 12, 2007

Please see John's Memorial Site at http://johnanthonyjr.blogspot.com/ for my guest book entry.

Dave Lane

October 10, 2007

I am saddened to hear about John's passing. Like his father, he was a good man and a great mechanic. I worked with him for many years at GNA and Markair from the late 70's till the early 80's. He always had a quick smile and a great laugh. My condolences to the family.

John "Herb" Herbert

October 10, 2007

I was completely caught off guard when I heard the news. I have thought of him every day since. He was a good friend and I will never forget him. I wish his family well.

Russell Hoffman

October 9, 2007

I was very shocked and hurt to hear of John's passing. I am very lucky to have got to know John and proud to have been his friend. Never once did he ever greet me with anything less than a large smile and chearfull hello. He was looked up to and admired by all that worked for him or with him her at Northern Air Cargo.

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