Obituary, Gary James Stevens, 75

Gary James Stevens passed away February 12, 2017, just two days after his 75th birthday. Born on February 10, 1942 to James C Stevens and Patricia Youens, he was one of five children.

Gary was a member of the Pioneers Alaska, The Moose in Sitka, The Elks in Wrangell, and Sons of Norway in Petersburg.

Gary spent most of his life commercial fishing, first on his father's boat then later building and fishing/shrimping on the Miss Susan. He would regularly donate his catch to local businesses, benefits and charities. For years he would bring the herring eggs into town from Sitka, lay them out, and people were welcome to take home what they wanted, a treat for most of the town. When they began shrimping it was quite common to see people stopping by day and night at the house picking up shrimp or his companion Linnea would drive down to the dock and meet people.

Gary is survived by his two sons Gary A. Stevens and Mark C. Stevens; brothers Carl Stevens and Walt Stevens; sister Rhonda Black; longtime companion Linnea Brooks, her sons Frank Churchill Jr., and Rick and (Tracy) Churchill and their two children Kaylauna and Talon Churchill who affectionately referred to him as Poppa; as did Brandon and Aliyha, children of Adrienne and Matt Kenfield; and several nieces and nephews.

A service and Celebration of Life will be held on Sun., March 5 at 2 p.m. at Harbor Light Church in Wrangell, followed by a reception at the Wrangell Elks Lodge at 3p.m.