John George Vavalis Jr

1935 - 2013

John George Vavalis, Jr. (Tlingit: Yan das eesh, Raven/Sockeye) was born on September 20, 1935 in Juneau. John passed away at the Prestige Care Center in Anchorage, on May 22, 2013. John or "Johnny "was most noted for the quote "Don't Worry About it, the Greek". As a lifelong Alaskan, he was well known for his beautifully designed Native Carvings and Artwork. He often referred to himself as a "power carver".
John's lifelong career was as an airplane mechanic for Alaska Coastal Airlines in 1952, which he retired from 40 years later. He had a passion for airplanes and worked on the infamous PBY's and Grumman Goose in the earlier years, these where his most beloved airplanes, and with that, lead him to build model planes and fishing troller's.
He was the owner of the Landing Strip Lounge in Juneau, which he opened in 1978 and later sold. There is so much to say about this man and his life, so in his honor, the family would like you to join them on August 10th, at the Moose Lodge from 3 to 7 pm, and then 7 pm on, at Marlintini's Lounge. They will be doing a "Celebration of Life" Ceremony till the midnight hours, so come out and celebrate our father's life, because that is what he wanted!
Our father's ashes will be spread in an undisclosed area prior to the service. Please be thinking of him on that day and know he is at peace, and he had a great life. Cards and letters can be sent to Cheri Kutch, P.O. Box 1655, Haines, Alaska, 99827 (and will be shared with the family and friends during the service)
John was predeceased by his wife Darlene A. Vavalis, May 19th, 1991, and his father and mother, John G. Vavalis, Sr and Alice Jackson Vavalis, and 4 sisters, Maude C. Vavalis, baby Loretta, Shirley Ramsdell, and Dorothy Enbusk. The ONLY boy born to a family of 15, he is survived by his sisters, Lee Hoffman, Catherine Moore, Jean Mason, Helen Miller, Madeline Morris, Loretta Vavalis, Jeri Anderson, Bernice Cranston, Sharon Olsen, and Christine Vavalis, and his many numerous nieces and nephews.
Also, surviving their father are his children, John (Dan) Vavalis, and wife Amber (Juneau), Dee Williams (Grand Island, FL) , Tim Vavalis (Palmer), Cheri Renner-Kutch, and husband Frank (Grand Island, FL), Ron Vavalis (Juneau). Grand Children, Micheal Vavalis, Tabitha Bauer, Roseanne Vavalis, Corwin Vavalis, Melissa Caswell, Nick Saviers, Octavia Vavalis, Zandra Vavalis, Jaron Vavalis, and Rena Renner. And several great-grand children