Jack W. Jaynes

1940 - 2015

Longtime Alaska and Wasilla resident Jack W. Jaynes passed away on Feb. 17, 2015, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. Jack was born and raised in Kitsap County, Wash. He was the eldest of four children born to Earl A. Jaynes Jr. and Violet June Heaps on Nov. 24, 1940. Sports were Jack's passion. Jack played basketball, football and golf for West High School Wildcats. He loved the outdoors and spent countless hours fishing and hunting. In junior college, Jack was fortunate to continue his basketball career, the highlight of which was playing against the Harlem Globetrotters in an exhibition game. After college he went to work for Darigold Dairy and then with Ace Paving Company. A chance fishing trip brought him to Alaska in 1979. He fell in love with the great beauty of this state and upon returning to Washington, convinced his family to move north in May of 1981. Jack worked for several propane companies in Anchorage, Homer, and the Mat-Su Valley over the years. His love of the people and fishing lead him to start a chartering business on the Little Su River in the early 1990s. After Jack retired he continued to do what he loved best, fish and hunt this great land from Homer to the great Yukon River. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl; and brother, John. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Scott (Bonnie); daughter, Julie Wyatt; stepdaughter, Stephanie Johnson; stepson, Brian Johnson; granddaughters, Amanda Creech and Destiny Johnson; and grandson, Hunter Jaynes. Jack is also survived by his mother, Vicki Jaynes; stepmother, Fran Thayer; brother, Steve (Joanne); sister, Vicki (Russ) Blaine; and numerous nieces and nephews. A potluck and celebration of life will be held on April 25, 2015, in Wasilla. For time and place please contact Legacy Funeral Homes Wasilla Chapel. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Legacy Funeral Homes.