James E. Veatch

1953 - 2016

Life long Alaskan and Girdwood resident James Emery Veatch, 62, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2016, at Alaska Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family and dear friends. Jim was born to Reverend Ellis R. and Ursula Veatch in Minneapolis, Minn., on Oct. 24, 1953. He grew up commercial fishing with his dad on the Little Susitna River. On one occasion, the boat overturned and three people spent several hours in the cold water waiting to be rescued. Jim was awarded Outstanding Ski Patroller in 1970-71 by the Denali Ski Patrol while a senior at East High School. After high school, he attended Anchorage Community College for two years while working various jobs in the Anchorage area. Jim moved to Girdwood, Alaska, in the mid-70s to become a ski patroller. He worked at Alyeska Resort for over 40 years, with the exception of a break from October 1977 to December 1977, when he headed to Hawaii for a change of scenery. While in Hawaii, he became a certified diver and if he wasn't diving he was tending bar at the Kona Surf Hotel on the Big Island. Missing the snow, he returned to Alyeska. He's done just about everything: chair lift operator, ski instructor, managing the Sitzmark bar, ski patrol director, even including Master Gunner in the artillery program. Jim was a ski patroller for over 30 years, with 15 of those years as ski patrol director. Jim loved people and he was very fair in how he treated them. During his tenure as ski patrol director, Alyeska Ski Patrol was recognized as the most outstanding ski patrol in the nation, and was featured on the cover of Ski Patrol magazine in the 1999 Fall issue. The article highlighted Alyeska as a Class A avalanche area and the patrol and snow safety team responsible for avalanche mitigation. Jim was very proud to be a part of this outstanding team. He participated in numerous search and rescue and recovery operations at Alyeska and the surrounding Turnagain Arm area. He loved being a gunner and would say "where else do you get paid to shoot artillery and no one shoots back at you." Most recently he was a shuttle driver for the Glacier Valley Transit, where he would share history of Girdwood with visitors. Jim was also best known as Santa with a full beard that didn't need to be whitened. He was Santa to Girdwood children for over 30 years. In 2012, Jim was honored to be chosen the Girdwood Forest Fair Grand Marshall. Jim was fun-loving, had a great sense of humor, gave the best hugs and loved to be around his family and friends. Jim leaves his loving wife, Jill, of 33 years; and son, Tyler Veatch of Palmer, Alaska; and sister, Susie Golds (Dan) of Anchorage, Alaska. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Ursula and Ellis R. Veatch; and brother, Ellis R. Veatch. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016,at 6 p.m. at the Alyeska Resort Daylodge, in Girdwood. Veatch fashion - Hawaiian shirts. There will be a Memory Book as a keepsake for Jill and Tyler, so please bring your memories and photos to share in the book. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Alyeska Ski Patrol, c/o Duane Risse, 5954 Katahdin Drive, Anchorage, AK 99502.