John Anthony Jr.

Former Alaska resident John Anthony Jr., 48, died Sept. 14, 2007, at home in Belleville, Mich.

A celebration of life and wake will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Snow Goose Restaurant in Anchorage.

Mr. Anthony was born Oct. 15, 1958, in Fairfield, Calif., to John and June Elaine Anthony. At age 14 he started working with his father at the airport cleaning airplanes. His interest in aircraft maintenance grew as he watched his father and the other mechanics at work.

He moved to Alaska with his parents in 1975 and began working as an aircraft mechanic for Great Northern Airlines in 1976. In 1979, GNA was purchased by Alaska International Air (later MarkAir). He earned his FAA Airframe & Powerplant Certificate and advanced to lead mechanic while working there until 1983. After a job as inspector with Seair in 1983-84, he began a 10-year career with Northern Air Cargo as A&P mechanic, shift lead mechanic and maintenance foreman.

In 1982 he married Denise Lundquist. In 1983 his daughter Kathryn was born, followed by his son John III in 1989.

In 1994, he left Alaska and moved to Tennessee where he worked for Knox Air. In 1995 he moved to Michigan and began a 12-year career with Spirit Airlines, advancing from A&P mechanic to director of maintenance.

His family wrote: "John enjoyed working hard and playing hard. He liked high-performance cars and working to make them faster. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family and was always ready with a joke or prank to make everyone laugh."There wasn't anything in this world that meant more to him than his family. He was the best dad anyone could ever ask for. He was a great mentor to all of his employees and co-workers. This world is at a great loss without him."

"He was a loving father, brother, son and friend."

Mr. Anthony is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Anthony of Soldotna; son, John Anthony III of Chitina; sister, Diane Hatley of Maryville, Tenn.; brother, Robert Anthony of Taylor, Mich.; loving companion, Ruth Sloan of Belleville, Mich.; and many other family members.

Friends who would like to send condolences may mail them to 44989 Eddy Hill Drive, Soldotna 99669.