James “Jim” Henderson Reekie
Long time Anchorage resident James “Jim” Henderson Reekie, 83, died March 31, 2007, at Providence Alaska Medical Center.
A service will be held Saturday, April 21, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage, 616 West 10th Avenue at 2:30 p.m. Following the funeral at 5:30 p.m. there will be a celebration of life for family and friends at the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, 4721 Aircraft Drive in Anchorage.
He was born April 21, 1923, in Dysart, Scotland to John and Elizabeth (Henderson) Reekie. His family came from the “Old Country” to America through Ellis Island in 1925. After living a short period in east coast, his family moved to Anchorage. He lived in Anchorage for over 75 years.
He graduated from Anchorage High School in 1941. While in high school he was a member of the ski team. He attended one year of college in Washington State. After returning to Alaska, he started working at the Alaska Railroad. He served in the U.S. Army in Alaska from 1943 until 1946. After his discharge from the Army, he returned to his employment with the Alaska Railroad. He retired in 1978 after 35 years of service as a conductor.
He met Jeanne Churchill at Curry, Alaska where she worked for the Curry Hotel and in February 1947 they got married. They lived in Curry in a Quonset hut for several memorable years before returning and purchasing their first home in Anchorage.
All four of his children were born and grew up in
Anchorage. He supported each one of them in all their activities and helped
with homework
assignments, took
them to Sunday school and out on picnics, taught them to ice skate,
ski, fish and dig for clams at Clam Gulch.
During his retirement, he enjoyed time with his children and grandchildren; flying his airplane; his annual moose hunting trips to the Eureka area; the companionship of Spike his Labrador retriever; cooking at the annual picnic for retired Alaska Railroaders and the families’ 4th of July picnic; and frequent trips to his cabin that he built in 1953 by Willow Creek.
He was an avid supporter of ice hockey since
the original Anchorage Aces played at the original Mulcahy
Park and supported his children
and grandchildren
in
all their ice hockey endeavors. In recent years he installed
satellite TV into his home so he could watch his adoptive grandson,
Scott
Gomez, play professional
hockey.
His family wrote: “Dad was a kind generous person. He appreciated
life and was always there to lend a hand where it was needed.
His humorous natured
personality will be sorely missed by many.”
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Steve Woods of Anchorage; son and daughter-in-law, Raymond and Georgene Reekie of Eagle River, AK; sons, Robert and Bruce Reekie of Anchorage; and grandchildren, Ryan, Renee, Aaron, Todd, Josh and Cody Reekie and Peter, Clint and William Dahl; cousins, Jean Elizabeth Lee and Art Reekie; nieces, Elizabeth Neakok, Margo Holland, Kathy Morino, Patty Stedman and Becky Morino; and nephews, Iain and Drew Reekie and four great granddaughters.
Honorary pallbearers will be Art Reekie, Don Prince, Ray Lee, Charlie Ingersoll, Ted Sparavelo, and Stu White.
He was preceded in death by his father, John; his mother Elizabeth; and brothers William and John (Jack) Reekie.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to West High Boys Hockey, 1700 Hillcrest Drive, Anchorage, AK 99517.
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