Debra Eayrs, beloved wife, mother and friend, was called to her heavenly home on June 21, 2015. Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m. at Christian Community Church on Bartlett Street in Homer.
Henry King Middleton Jr.
Long-time Alaska pioneer Henry King Middleton Jr. passed away in his sleep June 16, 2015 at South Peninsula Hospital. He was 81.
Henry was born on his grandfather’s farm near Sharptown, New Jersey on Feb. 18, 1934 to Henry King Middleton, Sr. and Lulu Ware Middleton.
During his early years, Henry lived in New Jersey and Washington state. In 1948, Henry’s parents decided it was time for adventure and moved their five children north to Alaska. In August of that year, they arrived at the end of Homer Spit aboard a landing craft, as there was no road to Homer at the time.
Henry played a huge role in the family’s challenge to make a homestead on Fritz Creek Ridge. He and his father and two brothers built a log cabin in the dead of winter and cleared land with handsaws and axes. When he turned 21, he successfully won a homestead of his own on Old East End Road.
Henry was drafted into the army in the mid-50s, and served honorably in Germany. The bulk of his working years he served with the Alaska Department of Highways survey team, laying out roads all over the state. Plagued with ill health, he took early retirement in the late 80s.
Henry was known for his keen intellect, eccentric sense of humor, loyalty to family and many friends. He had a soft heart for dogs and animals of all sorts, a love of nature and innate ability to predict weather patterns. He had a very good memory and liked to debate and play devil’s advocate, especially with his family. Henry always had a unique perspective and liked to debate. His hobbies included cards, chess, scrabble, joke-telling, writing poetry, women and dancing, weather-watching and singing karaoke at local pubs. He had a fondness for sweet desserts, a trait he shared with his mother Lu.
Henry will be missed and remembered by those who knew and loved him as one-of-a-kind. There was no one else like him. His friends, from all walks of life, are an amazingly diverse group. They will miss him greatly.
Henry was preceded in death by both parents, brother–in-law Lynn R. Graham and nephew Derin Middleton.
His survivors include brothers Herb Middleton (Sharon), Tim Middleton (Joyce), Jeff Middleton (Janet); sisters, Jane Middleton, Pam Hooker (Steve), and Cindy Graham, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 26 at Long Term Care in South Peninsula Hospital. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Diabetes Association.
James Peterson
James Peterson is at peace as of Oct. 11, 2014. Jim was born Feb. 8, 1943. After high school, he joined the Air Force, and while in service in 1962, he married Lorraine Mary LeBrecque. They had four children and were married for 30 years. After serving four years in the Air Force as an Airman First Class, Jim continued on to the University of Idaho, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in zoology (cum laude).
Jim went to medical school and graduated from Oregon Health Science University. As a captain in the U.S. Army, he completed an anesthesia internship at Fort Sam Houston Army Hospital, San Antonio, Texas. He then returned to Oregon Health Science University to complete his anesthesia residency.
Jim practiced anesthesia with a spotless record, saving lives and mentoring others in the medical arena for more than 40 years. Jim was an avid outdoorsman; he followed his passion for fishing, hunting and beach-combing. He was a pilot, fishing captain and hunting guide. Friends and family claimed he “lived for Octobers,” when pheasant season opened.
In 1998 Jim married Elizabeth Chamberlain. They were married 16 years and were residents of Homer. They spent time together sport fishing in the Florida Keys and hunting in North Dakota with their two dogs, Holly and Hanna.
Jim is survived by his brother Dr. William Loftin Peterson, O.D.; four children: Laura, Sharon, Cathy and James; and eight grandchildren: Loftin, Zoe, Foster Langsdorf, Quinn, Blake, Gatlin Butler, Violet and Lilly Peterson.
We will miss you Dad, Papa Ride, Grandpa.