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Lifelong Fairbanksan, John Robert Almquist, 53, died peacefully in his sleep, Dec. 23, 2012, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.
John was born August 18, 1959, in Fairbanks, to Robert and Jan Almquist. He worked as a surveyor for a local engineering company, traveling across the state. For the last eight years, he lived his dream; restoring an old homestead, with his wife and two dogs on the Goodpaster River.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Jan Butrovich Evans; maternal grandparents John and Grace Butrovich, and paternal grandparents Leslie and Nettie Almquist.
John is survived by his loving wife, Linnea; father, Bob Almquist and wife Christine; sisters, Lesley (Chris) Sims, Kristine (Greg) Wilder; step-children, Natalie, Christina, Linda, Aurora, Patrick; and a dozen grandchildren; step-siblings, Bari Hite, Roger Evans, Joy Miller, Star Evans, Joseph and Brian Almquist; and nephews, Andrew, Ryan, Brandon, Skyler and Graycen.
Arrangements are entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home.
Please visit www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsminer to sign the online guest book.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by His Loving Family.
I'm deeply saddened. My sympathies to John's family including my childhood friends. Leslie, John, and Kris ... Jan and Hawley ... you all have a special place in my heart!
Karen Low-Anderson
May 14, 2013
John it's really hard to think of you as being gone. You were the best brother a sister could have. I will keep all my memories close to my heart.I Will miss our conversations even your stubornness.Till we meet again,you'r loving sister. Kris
Kris Wilder
February 1, 2013
My deepest Sympathy goes out to the Almquist family,
I worked with John in his latter years as a surveyor. I really enjoyed the days that I went out with John on the job. I never worked with someone so laid back. He made me a better man because of that. I remember pausing from our work several times to catch a little message on the Christian radio. John was definitely a man who loved Jesus. It was such a pleasure getting to know him.
Brad Roosma
Lodi, Wisconsin
January 31, 2013
Brother John was a very gentle soul and has joined the rest of our family. Thank you to all who have written so eloquently about John. I was really missing him today and feel so much better having read such kind words of remembrance. John will always remain alive in our memories. God be with you Brother John and dearest Linnea.
Lesley
January 21, 2013
I knew John when he was a sixth grader at University Park School and I was the music teacher. He was in my chorus that year. I remember him as a gracious and polite student. I remember sharing with him that I had been his Mother's English teacher at Lathrop High. I never met his own family, but I thought they might like to know how I remembered John, his Mother and his grandparents, John and Grace Butrovich. Jo Ryman Scott from Manhattan
January 16, 2013
God Bless your family & friends.
Carol Brees-Harrington
January 14, 2013
I have a picture looking down a survey brush line at John and his ROEN Design crew on one of those buggy, brutal Alaska remote land surveys of the 1980s. Good-natured in a blizzard or waist deep in a swamp, it warms my heart to think of him. Farewell and godspeed, my friend.
Ken Cassity
January 14, 2013
This is especially to Linnea although our hearts go out to all who have lost him. Linnea, just know that Thom is on the river most of the time, so if you need help or muscles or a visit when you're on the Goodpaster, please call any time. Our river cell phone is 378-3012. Our town number is 457-6337. if we or he can help, we'd be honored to do so. Your friend, Suli
Suli Nee
January 10, 2013
Dear Linnea,
Though we've never met, I was very close to Johnny, his mother, his stepfather, his grandparents, his great grandmother and sisters during my years in Alaska through the 60s, 70s and 80s and I was shocked to learn of his untimely death in the online edition of the News-Miner today. Though we lost touch after I left Alaska and John and Grace passed on, words can't express my profound sadness at his youthful passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy and convey my regrets to Leslye and Kristine when you see them. I will never forget the Butroviches and their precious extended family, of which I am proud to say I was one for many years, sharing many fond experiences with them on the "Goody" and elsewhere. I would be grateful if you could find time to drop me a note about Johnny's last years and days. Godspeed you and your family through a future filled with loving memories of your shared life with Johnny.
Joe LaRocca
20 Grant St.,
North East (Erie County), PA 16428
[email protected]
814.725.8926
Joe LaRocca
January 9, 2013
I was sorry to read about Johns passing away. It had been years since I had spoke to him. Last time I saw John was years ago when he helped me pull a boat out of the Chena River. I was in process of selling a boat. The prospective buyer wanted to take a test run and promptly swamped the boat, lucky no one drown. John grew up across the street from me and we shared a number of youthful experiences. I don't often get up the Goodpasture any more but knew he had been working on the Laurance Johnson cabin site, had intended on making the trip but always seemed to have other projects myself, sorry.
I'm sure the family has many memories and will cherish them.
Ken Hall
January 9, 2013
Gone too soon. I remember playing chess with "John A" (there were two other kids named John in the same class) from our days attending "old" University Park Elementary, and he was a steady, even-handed, good character kid. I looked up to John A. Though short, it's apparent his life was well-lived. My condolences to his family and loved ones.
Leonard Hisamoto
January 9, 2013
Dear Linnea,
We are so saddened to learn of your loss. You had many happy years with John, and have lots of good memories. We think of you and pray for you as you start a new chapter in your life.
I always remember you down there with the low C and D. You were always right on the beat!! Love from us both
Rachel and Ross Adkins
January 7, 2013
John was too young, but then, we never get those choices. My sympathies to his wife and family and sisters. What a loss for you all.
Jinx Whitaker
[email protected]
January 7, 2013
I am so sad to hear of your loss, Lesley. May positive memories of John be with your through this very difficult time. God Bless you and your family.
Judi Johnson
January 7, 2013
My love and deep sympathy and condolences to all the family of such a caring, courageous, generous, kind-hearted and just plain outstanding guy. His humble and happy spirit will always be dearly thought of in my heart. We will miss him very, very much. I know John will truly be safe in God's memory until He brings him back to life to enjoy perfect health and youthful vigor forever in His coming paradise on earth very soon!
Anthony Mitchell
January 6, 2013
I am stunned at this news and send my support to Linnea and Leslye, to the family. All three were wonderful to work with in memorializing their outstanding grandfather, Alaska's longest serving territorial and state senator, a man of integrity and humility, Senator John Butrovich. It was wonderful that John Almquist found the freedom to live the life he wanted up the Goodpaster, which was very close to his grandfather's heart. I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. Blessings to the family. Judy and Reb Ferguson
January 6, 2013
Dear Linnea & family, So sorry to hear of John's untimely passing. Linnea, I knew you @ UAF-Chem office, Becky Schaffer. I'd love to hear from you & catch up (20 yrs? Wow)... email me if you'd like: [email protected].
John is now flying w/ the Angels... Nice! Blessings, Becky
Rebecca Schaffer
January 5, 2013
I'm so sorry. He was a very good man. I wish peace to his wife and soulmate.
melinda butler
January 4, 2013
I'm sorry for your loss.
M Jayne
January 4, 2013
I only met John a few times but thoroughly enjoyed those few times with him. My Dad and John's grandfather were very good friends. I especially appreciated the love and devotion John showed to his grandparents, John and Grace. My sincere sympathies to John's family.
Jeff Cook
January 4, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing from this world. I attended school with him from third grade through high school. I always remember him as a kind and gentle soul who had a smile for everyone and was never down or negative. My condolences and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. May the Lord give you all peace. Our world has lost a truly fine and loving person.
Bill Hawkins
January 4, 2013
Maria Johnstone
January 4, 2013
wilders
January 4, 2013
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