Gerald "Jerry" Rafson

1946 - 2025

Long time Alaskan Gerald (Jerry) Rafson passed away Oct. 11, 2025, at the Denali Center in Fairbanks. He was the son of Eugene Rafson and Loretta Lee (Modine) Rafson.
Jerry was born June 30, 1946, in Harvey, Illinois. In 1955 the family moved to Fairbanks. In 1965, Jerry survived a motorcycle accident that rendered him a paraplegic. Life became more difficult, but he didn't let that stop him from living an adventurous and fulfilling life, refusing to allow his disability to deter him.
Jerry moved from his family home in Hamilton Acres to Gilmore Trail in 1970, where he designed and built his cozy cabin and Dome Studios, a recording studio for local musicians. He and his brother Ron (Rif) had sessions with a wide range of musical artists.
Jerry graduated in 1970 from the University of Alaska with a BSESCE degree in civil engineering. This began a 32 year tenure at the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT) which culminated as Chief of Planning and Administrative Services. Covering the vast territory he was responsible for, Jerry flew in small planes to many of the villages in the northern region of DOT.
Some of the projects he worked on included surveying and building the bridge and road to Ninilchik, the Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project Dam, Stampede Road in Healy, and the McCarthy footbridge, replacing a cable tram.
He worked with the North Star Borough Trails Commission for many years. He worked on various ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) projects. He served on the Board of Directors for Access Alaska.
It was at DOT that he met Barbara Stetson, who he married in 1992 in the Fairwarp parish church in the Ashdown Forest, England. Not long after, Jerry designed and built a larger log home. They also spent several months each year in Maui, where Jerry developed his daily habit of swimming up to 40 laps.
Jerry spent many summers captaining small craft river excursions to remote areas with a crew of willing and perhaps foolhardy friends, who gave him the moniker "Captain Slough - bring 'em back alive'," in reference to the hair-raising close calls they experienced. Their stories are still recounted with laughter and enthusiasm, always with appreciation for Jerry's fortitude and determination.
In January 2020, in Maui, Jerry suffered a massive stroke. He was able to return after a lengthy stay in the hospital to Denali Center in Fairbanks just prior to the Covid shutdown. After recovering for three months, Barbara brought him home where recovery continued, with the help of a long list of caregivers and friends, including his brother Ron (Rif) who was a dependable source of strength and support, as well as sister Gene (Toots).
Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Loretta Rafson; and his sister, Betty Sheehy. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Stetson; sister, Gene Maki (Arne); brother, Ron Rafson (Laurie Slotnick); nieces and nephews, Ken, Glen, Shana, Matt, Holly, Sally and Joe; and many nephews and nieces and in-laws near and far.
Friends and family are invited to share memories and honor a life well lived at a celebration of life, at a time and place to be determined in June 2026.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Jerry's name to Images for Impact a fundraiser to bring a PET scanner to Fairbanks, at fairbankshospitalfoundation.com/programs/pet-scanner or call 907-458-5550, or to the charity of your choice.