Jeffery Lee Ellison

1960 - 2025

Jeffery Lee Ellison passed away peacefully at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on Sept. 15, 2025. He was born Jan. 15, 1960, in Muskegon, Michigan. Jeff was raised in a military family traveling to different locations throughout his childhood, counting 13 different schools before seventh grade. His cousins were his life long friends, he loved telling stories about growing up in Michigan and digging sand forts in the dunes with his cousins and of course fishing.
When Jeff was 17, he joined the United States Coast Guard serving five years from 1977 to 1982. He carried many certifications during his service, one highlight was as an EMT he was blessed to deliver a baby. He was a member of Maritime Law Enforcement, a Certified Sharp Shooter, and was a Certified Boarding Officer, where he boarded many ships for the security of the United States of America.
After his service in the the Coast Guard Jeff came to Alaska, where his dad was stationed at Eielson Air Force Base. He helped his dad build a house for his mom, younger brother, and dad to call home in Salcha, Alaska. After arriving in Alaska, he found a fishing spot at Paxson Lake and quickly became manager of the Paxson gas station and maintenance for the Paxson Lodge from 1983-1984. From 1984-1996 he worked as a mechanic between Motor Inn/Big Bear Alignment and American Tire. He was the Big Bear Alignment part of Motor Inn, being the only one in town that straightened vehicle, trailer, and semi truck frames.
Jeff met his wife, Lori Miscovich, while working on her truck and they married in 1991. They were blessed with two children; a son, Chet, in May of 2000 and a daughter, Stanalee, in December of 2002. Jeff was a stellar father. No rock went unturned for his son, Chet to look for bugs, and he always let his daughter, Stanalee paint his toenails even if it was Party Girl Pink. As soon as his two children could hold on to a fishing pole they were catching fish.
In 1996, Jeff was one of the first group of employees to be hired at Fort Knox Gold Mine. He was the MSHA Training Officer and held multiple positions throughout his time there, working his way up to Safety Supervisor and Security Supervisor, creating and implementing many of the security, safety, and emergency response Standard Operating Procedures. In 2007, Jeff went to work for the State of Alaska as an OSHA Inspector Officer in Anchorage, but after one year he was offered the office in Fairbanks and became in charge of the Northern Hemisphere, North of the Alaska Range, but went all over the state doing OSHA investigations. He soon became the training officer for all the State of Alaska OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers, while still maintaining his position as OSHA Inspector.
Jeff loved to fish. He grew up next to the rivers and Great Lakes of Michigan, fishing for anything that would take his bait. You could always find Jeff outdoors whether it was fishing, boating, camping, hunting, or simply enjoying nature. Throughout the winters he loved ice fishing and snowmaching, as well as building snowmen and snow forts with his children.
Jeff held many certifications; he was a member of the first concealed carry class offered in Fairbanks, Alaska, and became a NRA Certified Concealed Carry Instructor along with other NRA Instructor certifications. Jeff lived a life of service for the safety of people and saved many lives along his journey.
Jeff was preceded in death by his mother, Lee Ann Carter; biological father, Darin Cummins; aunt, Delores; and uncle, Harold Loyselle; aunt, Zelma; and uncle, George Carter; his father and mother-in-law, Andrew and Verda Miscovich; brother-in-law, Andy Miscovich; nephew, Daniel Tuel; and aunt Donna Miscovich. Jeff was a descendant of General Robert E. Lee, and has family throughout the states, too many to list, some preceded him in death and some of them still surviving.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Lori (Miscovich) Ellison; son, Chet Ellison; and daughter, Stanalee Ellison; his dad, Daniel (wife Karen) Ellison of Arizona; sister-in-law, Marjorie Miscovich-Jeffrey (husband Michael); nephew, Brian Tuel (wife Allison); and great-nephew, Wesson; sister- in-law, Cyndi Bunn; niece, Eva Miscovich; and nephew, Andy Miscovich; brother-in-law, Mike Miscovich (wife Chrissy); brother-in-law, John Miscovich (wife Amy); niece, Caitlin; and nephew, Corey; sister-in-law, Phyllis Ellison; niece, Jamie Stiner (husband Bradley) and children; and nephew, Michael Gregory and children; his cousins, Darrel Cummins and Pam Keglovtz of Michigan; along with many other family and friends.
There will be a funeral service held at 5 p.m. on Oct. 2, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Church and a reception will immediately follow at the Elks Lodge, Antler room.