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In Memory

Edward Patrick Churchill Jr.

Lifelong Alaskan Edward Patrick Churchill Jr., 58, died suddenly while on duty on March 21, 2003, at Pump Station #4.

Mr. Churchill was born in Ketchikan, Territory of Alaska, on July 11, 1944, to Ethel and Edward Patrick Churchill Sr. He was the oldest of their six children. He was raised in Wrangell, AK.

He graduated from Wrangell High School in 1963 and then earned a degree in electronics at RCA Institute in New York. He was supervisor at the Alameda Naval Station in Oakland, Calif., through the 1970s and then moved to Valdez, AK for a job working at the Valdez Marine Terminal. This was followed by working at the pump stations. Ed worked for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. for the past 25 years.

His family and friends affectionately knew Ed as "Teto." He was proud of his Tsimshian, Tlingit and Haida heritage. While living in Valdez, he championed local youths in their participation in the Native Youth Olympics.

His family wrote: "Ed had a special gift for taking care of the important things in life: his spouse, family, friends and others. He was kind, warm-hearted, interested in others, and a steady and valued colleague, as amply evidenced by his successful career. Boating, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors were a few of his favorite pastimes. He was adored by his family, and his energy uplifted all those who knew him."

His Alyeska friends and "family" held a celebration of his life Monday in Anchorage. Memorial services were held at the Wrangell Presbyterian Church on 26 Mar 2003 and the Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor, Washington on 29 Mar 2003. His remains were cremated.

His father, Eddie Pat Churchill Sr., preceded him in death. Mr. Churchill is survived by his mother, Ethel Churchill of Wrangell; wife, Julie Sasseen-Churchill of Gig Harbor, Wash.; his son and daughter-in-law, Edward III and Angela, and grandson, Matthew; daughter Laurie, and grandchildren, Nicholas, Nathan and Shelina; his son and daughter-in-law, Andrew James and Terrisa, and grandchildren, Melissa, Michael, Stephen and Alicia; great-grandson, Tyler; son and daughter-in-law, Brady and Jessica, and granddaughters, Hayden and Payton; and his five siblings.

Donations in memoriam may be made to Miah Wickman's Cystic Fibrosis Fund.