John Ebona
July13, 1935-February 3, 2015

Born July 13, 1935, in Hood Bay, Alaska, to parents Martin (Filipino) and Annie Paul James Ebona (K'iyaaltin), Tlingit. Tribal Member of the Yeil; Deisheetaan, Dei shu Hit'- Raven Beaver, "End of the Trail House." He was a member of the Sealaska Corporation and Goldbelt, Inc.
He attended two years in St. Martin's College in Lacey, Washington. John was also in the United States Army and served in active duty in Korea He started out working in Chatham Cannery in the days of trap fishing. He worked on Fish Tenders, most notably the Hetta for the New England Fish Company.
Throughout his school years, he was very popular and had many friends. He attended the St. Ann's Catholic School with his siblings, then on to Juneau High School graduating in 1955. He was nominated and received the Most Valuable Player Award. He was an awesome basketball player. His number was #3, He played for the Arctic Knights of Juneau, Alaska, in the Gold Medal Tournament. A friend stated, he was a 3-pointer basket slam dunk every time. John loved sports and loved watching the Redskins, Lakers and other teams. Most recently his daughter Maja made him a 12 Fan of the Seattle Seahawks.
He worked at the Juneau Cold Storage as Office manager, Tlingit & Haida Housing Authority, and worked with long life friends John Vavalis, Kermit Cesar, Milton DeAsis, Dave Hollingsworth to name a few.
When he retired he moved to Federal Way, Washington but would travel to various states to see his siblings. He would take his family and later nephews out on his boat the "Gold Finger" for several days. Also, many times he went out fishing with most family members and showed some how to bait the hooks and catch many fish. That was a time for fun laughter and memories. Gold Finger was his CB name. He was also known to many of his cohorts as "Sonny Bono."
He was married to Diane Freeburg and they had two children, Derek Jon and Maja Lisa.
He is preceded in death by his Father Martin Ebona, Sr., Mother Annie Ebona, Brothers Andrew Ebona, Sr., Martin Ebona, Jr., Sisters Barbara D'Cafango, Edith Butler, Anna Marie Joe,
He is survived by Sisters, Ruby Agbayani, of New York & Mary Ebona, Brother, August (Michele) Ebona of Aberdeen, Washington
Children: Maja Lisa Brickner, (Scott) of Federal Way, Washington
Derek Ebona, (Crystal Underhill) of Silverdale, Washington
Grandchildren:Asia O'Daniel, Amanda Brickner, Brendan Brickner, Erik Brickner, Ian Ebona, Avery Ebona, Caleb and Mason Ebona (twins), Myra Lamas-Underhill and Israel Lamas-Underhill and many Nieces, Nephews.

Memorial Service
Saturday, February 28th 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
3801 Discovery Park Blvd
Seattle, WA 98199
Contact Phone: 360 581-7576
Mary Ebona
6312 Karjala Rd.
Aberdeen, WA 98520

Special thank you to John Garcia for the Bentwood Box and to the Daybreak Star for the Hall the Howden Kennedy Funeral Home. The Care Givers and Hospice for their loving caring service.
Also all the Friends and Family in attendance here and in spirit with all the prayers and condolences we have received.

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

Published by Juneau Empire from Mar. 20 to Apr. 19, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for John Ebona

9 Entries

Kellus (Kritter) Sewell

June 3, 2015

Goldfinger was one of my best friends...we fished, laughed, competed, told tall stories, watched our kids play. What fond and many, many deep memories I have with John - fishing in our Tupper Ware boats for kIngs in various places in Glacier Bay, off Deer Harbor and Elfin Cove, Icy Straits, Excursion Inlet, Hawk Inlet and Hood Bay (his home) where I vividly remember we caught a 50# King - not sure if Goldfinger or I did, but I can assure you John would say, "I Did." with his Big Smile.

April 29, 2015

He was a good man and will be greatly missed..love,Ray and Emily Piceno....

Saj

April 20, 2015

At times like these, 'God can give us "power beyond what is normal," so we can keep going from one day to the next. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

April 16, 2015

So very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words of Ps. 86.

April 8, 2015

Sorry for your loss. May the peace of God soothe your heart. Philippians 4:6,7
Sincerely,
Janice

Mary Ebona

April 4, 2015

We are not alone, thank for your condolences and we will miss him but he will be forever in our hearts!

Warren Wiley

March 24, 2015

What a great guy! I'm not sure I ever saw Johny without a big smile on his face; he was just one of those people who you could meet on the street and after a minute or so, walk away feeling better about your day.
Close friends and family you have my condolences....you are going to miss him!

Kelly Miller

March 22, 2015

As a young boy growing up, I remember Johnny so well as a giant among taller basketball players. His years as the point guard for the Arctic Knights were epic. My Dad, Ray Miller, coached Johnny for years. His determination to be the best player he could was my inspiration for keeping at it. I eventually make the JDHS Varsity as one of the smaller players on the team and was blessed with being asked to be co-captain my senior year. Johnny, thanks for being a hero to me, and showing many of us that the size of one's heart is more important than the mark on a ruler. See you on the court in the sky.

Mary Ebona

March 20, 2015

I will miss him greatly his was my mentor, my friend, my brother keep watching over me, love your baby sister

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