Community
Jimmy Darrell Standefer – November 8, 1944 ~ December 4, 2016
Submitted by the Standefer family
Jimmy Darrell Standefer was born in a little cabin in Sardis, Oklahoma on November 8th, 1944 to Leta Belle Maxey Standefer and John Carl Standefer. His life has been epic in so many ways: as a world class sculptor whose works have been purchased for the Oklahoma Governors Mansion and for several Senatorial offices in Washington D.C. Also as a master teacher in the areas of History and Biology as well as Art, well loved by his students and remembered by all as their Leonardo Man.
He spent most of his working life in Alaska, where spare time was spent scaling mountains and walking in the woodlands with good friends who were also Mountain Men. Seldovia, Alaska became his hearts home and those friends became family.
Jimmy succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease on December 4th, 2016 after thirteen years of endurance and much accomplished even during that time. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Standefer, of Caballo, New Mexico; by his brother, John Michael Standefer of Kasilof, Alaska; by his niece Rena Megan Anderson of Soldotna, Alaska and his nephew John Garland Standefer of Seattle, Washington; by his sons Sean Christian Standefer and Michael Shea Standefer of Kasilof, Alaska and by his daughter Shara Standefer Montoya and his grandsons Quinton, Colton and Cole Montoya of Caballo, New Mexico. Marilyn’s address is HC 31 Box 62B Caballo, NM 87931 for those interested in sending their condolences.
Kenneth Arthur Cope – May 7, 1942 ~ November 24, 2016
Submitted by the Cope family
Kenneth Arthur Cope, age 74 of Vilonia, passed away November 24, 2016.
He was born on May 7, 1942 in Medford, Massachusetts to the Late Clarence and Dorthea Cope.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 30 years, Robbie Whitmarsh Cope of the home; three children, Wendy Odden (Jerry) of Alaska; Sheryl Hancock (Jack) and Pamela Delaney (Garry) both of Vilonia; five grandchildren, Robert Delaney, Tassie Childers, Jack Hancock Jr. all of Vilonia; Johnathan Cope of Alabama; Kirstan Odden of Alaska; six great grandchildren, Alex, Breanna, Mikey, Gage, Ashlee and Lane. He is also survived by two sisters, Linda Cox (Hollis) of Hobbs, New Mexico; and Carol Sweatt of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Mr. Cope was a private pilot and worked as a fishing charter captain in Alaska for 25 years. He was the owner of Fantasia Design where he contracted remodeling projects. Mr. Cope fought cancer for the last year and a half of his life.
Memorials can be made to the Vilonia Fire Department, 7 Bise Street, Vilonia, Arkansas 72173 in his honor. Cards may be sent to the family directly: Robbie Cope, 80 Gorman Road, Vilonia, AK 72173
Thank you!
Thank you to the many folks who currently live in our community and have served our great country!
We certainly don’t want to miss anyone, so In addition to this list of folks currently living in Seldovia who have served our country, I would like to make a master list of folks that have passed on, or moved away that we would like to remember! Can you please help me build that list? Please comment below. If they live in Seldovia – please note that too, as I will update this poster to reflect that ASAP!
We don’t want to leave anyone out – so please comment below!
Who have passed away, but we remember with honor:
Vince Bates
Eric Erickson
Hank Gain
Shannon Haller Bouchard
Jim Hecks
Pierre Int-Hout
Eric Nordenson
Bill Patrick
Leon Wallin
Folks we thank for their past or current service, who no longer live in Seldovia:
Robert Bishop
Cameren Blodgett
Dan Blodgett
Joel Blodgett
Josh Blodgett
Derek Burt
David Cloninger
Peggy Cloninger
Curtis Dickson
Bruce Flint
Kurt Gain
Alison Godwin
Shad Haller
Joshua Johnson
Tom Keesecker
Manfred Kirchner
Bob Olson
Jim Shirley
Brian Slover
Michael Willard
Craig “Higgy” Higman, 1945-2016
Craftsman, Rogue, Fisherman, Pyromaniac, Story-teller, Father, and Grandfather.
Higgy passed away on June 19 in Homer, by the side of his son, Bretwood “Hig” Higman. He had been out for a walk in Seldovia, his home for 39 years, when he fell and hit his head. By the time he reached the hospital in Homer he was non-responsive – a quick and simple end that no doubt would have appealed to his “I don’t like complicated” philosophy. He lived a life full of fireworks, creative vision, misadventures, flagrant disregard of mortal limits, fine wood craftsmanship, cheap beer, and love. He is survived by his ex-wife Dede, children Valisa and Hig, brothers Jim and Terry, sister Jill, and grandchildren Katmai and Lituya, and a community of people that blurred the line between family and friends.
Higgy is remembered with intemperate love by those who knew him – for his stunning craftsmanship, deep humor, genuine and unconventional honesty, his explosions, and for the indelible marks of joy, beauty, and creativity that he left. Wise from a lifetime of following his heart, he always accepted what life threw at him, embraced changes, and made sure his children knew that no matter what, he loved them. His story telling knew no equal, his kindness knew no bounds, and his character was, without question, in a class of its own. He joins his mother Hona who learned to bungee jump at 80, his father Bopa who built boats and planes, and a pack of beloved dogs.
A memorial party with cannons and fire will be held at Schooner Beach on Saturday, June 25 starting at 1:00.
Seldovia Time
