Jeff McLean

On March 11, 2025, a wonderful man of character passed away too young with his family at his side. Jeff McLean was born in Anchorage in 1975 and lived his life in Fairbanks. He attended schools at Woodriver Elementary, ICS Junior High, West Valley High School and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, having graduated with a sociology degree. He completed his electrical apprenticeship in Fairbanks.

Jeff was always a spirited youth and loved to play hockey, soccer and baseball in his youth, and softball as an adult. His zest carried throughout all his activities. When he was 20 years old, Jeff trained and became certified to be a coach for the youth in the community. He loved kids and loved teaching them not only hockey skills but life skills. His competitiveness spilled out on some of the rinks in the state, but he always knew that the youth were watching his example. He had a happy heart throughout his life and could joke and make people laugh at his sarcasm. He knew how important it was to reach out to youth to help them realize their potential.

Jeff spent the past four years in Arizona where his son, Eli, played hockey, and he said it was the hardest thing he had to do, standing on the outside of the glass and letting another man coach his son. Jeff's only pride and joy in life was to watch his son on the ice, and he loved his son more than anything.

Jeff was a member of the IBEW Local 1547 and Locals 520 and 640 in Arizona. He comes from a long line of electricians in his family. He made friends easily on jobs as all he had to do was start talking sports and he was off and running with his new work buddies.

Jeff loved being outdoors at the families Clearwater cabin near Delta. He once thought it was the only place he would like to live out his life after he retired.

He leaves behind his wife, Bobbie; son, Eli; stepsons, Tayler and Ty Munson (Marie); stepgrandchildren, Ryker, Arie, Koa and Emmett; parents, Doug and Lou, retired in Arizona; brother, Tim (Kristi) of Anchorage; sister, Julie (Sean) and Piper Novak of Arizona; his beloved dogs, Kane and Murphy; and many close relatives and friends throughout the state. Most of his close friends were his former teammates from high school and college days that have remained in contact with him over the years.

In lieu of flowers, in Jeff's memory, your deductible donation to the Hockey Club of Fairbanks would be appreciated. The address is Hockey Club of Fairbanks, PO Box 73630, Fairbanks, AK 99707. Another association of consideration for your donation in his name is the Arctic Lions Hockey Association, PO Box. 74082 Fairbanks AK, 99707.

A celebration of Jeff's life will occur in Fairbanks next summer, with the date and time to be announced.

"Grief is so much harder than anyone tells you. It isn't just sadness, it's a void, an ache, an unrelenting battle with realty. It's the endless replay of what could have been, and the cruel certainty of what will never be." - Jameson Arasi

Online condolences may be made to the family at Blanchardfh.com.