John James Trautner Anchorage, Alaska Obituary

John James Trautner

<p>Girdwood lost a legend with the passing of John James Trautner on September 19th, 2022.</p><p>One good man can make a difference. He can set an example that others want to follow. He can change a life just by being a part of it. John Trautner was a good man who affected many lives and touched more hearts than we will ever know.</p><p><br></p><p>Born on December 4, 1935, in Simpson, Minnesota, he died in Anchorage on September 19, 2022 at age 86. His life was full of unlimited interests in the world from Alaska to Africa, Europe, Costa Rica, Russia, Hawaii and beyond. He had colorful tales and thousands of photographs that he shared generously.</p><p><br></p><p>He grew up doing farming chores before and after school at home in Minnesota and made lifelong use of the many skills he learned and the stories they inspired.</p><p><br></p><p>John dropped out of school in 10th grade and hitchhiked to Washington State trying to get to Alaska. He ultimately earned his GED and eventually an MBA from the University of Alaska. His education included time in a one room schoolhouse in Minnesota where he tutored the younger children (he was in 5th grade). He read every book in that schoolhouse which included Jack London’s “Call of the Wild” . That book started his long, determined journey to Alaska.</p><p><br></p><p>John had more stories about Alaska than one life should allow, and he never tired of its ever changing, surprising beauty. Twice he was turned away from driving across the border due to lack of funds, but he finally made it to his beloved Alaska in 1958.</p><p><br></p><p>He was a photographer, logger, gold miner, fisherman, businessman and entrepreneur. He was also a fire boss for BLM, a fire Chief for Girdwood, a dog musher, real estate investor, and salesman for Gary King Sporting Goods in the 50’s. He loved skiing and managed Romig Ski Hill in 1958 and 59 and moved to Girdwood in 1969 where he worked for Alyeska Resort and began his lifelong love of Girdwood. Playing his harmonica and washtub bass and dancing the polka at the Double Musky always brought him joy and he was a wonderful dancer.</p><p><br></p><p>He owned the Texaco Service Station on the Alyeska Highway 1977-1995 and developed it into the Tesoro Mall. During that time he ran a wrecker service and pulled many terrified drivers out of ditches in the very worst weather the old Seward Highway had to offer. Much to his wife Kathy’s dismay, he would often leave a hot dinner on his plate to rush to a call for help which frequently kept him out all night. He loved working with the State Troopers and developed special friendships with several.</p><p><br></p><p>His service through Lions Clubs International since 1953 was very important to him and he was a proud district officer and charter member of the Girdwood Lions Club. He treasured special friends through Lions as well as through the Chaine des Rotisseurs. The evening before he died, he dressed in his tux and Chaine ribbons for a special dinner at the Captain Cook Hotel and was glowing with happiness all the next day about how good it had been to visit with so many friends. He was especially handsome in his tux and he loved attending multiple charity fundraising events that let him dress up!!</p><p><br></p><p>He was very proud of his service in the army with time served in Korea, US army intelligence in North Carolina and In Hawaii. He was an expert marksman who was recognized as such by the Army but actually developed his skill starting in 1942 when German P.O.W.s in Owatanna, Minnesota taught him to shoot a 22 using a Mercury dime as a target. His Grandma Baker was cooking for the P.O.W.s at the camp.</p><p><br></p><p>John was an excellent hunter/gatherer and loved picking berries and mushrooms as much as bringing home a sheep, moose, ducks or fish. John was honored to hunt deer with Chuck Yeager on Molokai in 1985 and loved the fact that he beat Chuck at horseshoes. They shared a wry humor and endless stories and they both had twinkles in those blue eyes when they smiled.</p><p><br></p><p>In spite of a major logging accident in 1955 in Darrington, Washington, a serious helicopter crash in 1960 and a vehicle accident in Anchorage that hospitalized him for months, he continued to work and play hard for many years.</p><p><br></p><p>Good Friday Earthquake stories from 1964 were endless as he had just started working for NC Company in Anchorage on 4th avenue after being medically retired from the army. He was in the sporting goods department on that fateful day in March and helped lead others out of the darkened store and then worked through the night securing downtown offices and distributing supplies after checking on his family in Rogers Park. What a mess that house was with a big pot of chili dumped onto the floor to mix with all the contents of the face down refrigerator and two terrified little girls clinging to their mother!</p><p><br></p><p>He was definitely the person you would want to survive a bad storm or earthquake with as he was resourceful in any situation.</p><p><br></p><p>He loved his super cub and shared hair raising stories of landing skiers on glaciers and fighting the winds along Turnagain Arm as he commuted to work in Anchorage when he worked for the State of Alaska under Governor Egan in the 70’s.</p><p><br></p><p></p><p>John was proud of his affiliation with the village of Pt. Hope and especially the Oktollik family there. He loved being involved in whaling and walrus hunting and was pleased to have been sponsored into the Alaska Native Brotherhood by Walter Sobeloff.</p><p><br></p><p>John was a mentor to many and loved sharing his years of experience with young venturers and was often anonymous in his financial support.</p><p><br></p><p>His gruff exterior hid his very generous heart and it was his kind and thoughtful heart that finally just wore out.</p><p><br></p><p>He was a devoted and faithful husband and father. He loved his 5 children and was always quietly proud of their accomplishments. He was instrumental in their happiness despite their lives taking them outside of Alaska.</p><p><br></p><p>He is survived by his wife and partner of 42 years, Kathy Bucy Trautner , his children Theresa Pearson, Carrie Mannon, John Tremayne, Lindsey Peterson and stepson Victor North, his brothers William and Richard Trautner, sister Mary Trautner Bolster, multiple beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, in-laws and outlaws and countless supportive friends.</p><p><br></p><p>John loved flowers and gardening, but in lieu of sending flowers, consider a donation to Covenant House Alaska, the Lions Club 49A Foundation or Girdwood Health Clinic, all of which were close to his heart.</p><p><br></p><p>A visitation will be held at 2 pm at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church on Jewel Lake Road, followed by a funeral mass at 3 pm. A military burial with honors will follow October 19th at 1130 a.m. at Fort Richardson. Those who wish to attend the military service may send a request to vfoister89@gmail.com before October 14th to obtain the required information for JBER access.</p><p><br></p><p>There will also be a celebration of John’s life in May when his colorful tulips are blooming, and Alaska is budding back to life.</p><p></p>
December 4, 1935 - September 19, 202212/04/193509/19/2022
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Obituary

Girdwood lost a legend with the passing of John James Trautner on September 19th, 2022.

One good man can make a difference. He can set an example that others want to follow. He can change a life just by being a part of it. John Trautner was a good man who affected many lives and touched more hearts than we will ever know.


Born on December 4, 1935, in Simpson, Minnesota, he died in Anchorage on September 19, 2022 at age 86. His life was full of unlimited interests in the world from Alaska to Africa, Europe, Costa Rica, Russia, Hawaii and beyond. He had colorful tales and thousands of photographs that he shared generously.


He grew up doing farming chores before and after school at home in Minnesota and made lifelong use of the many skills he learned and the stories they inspired.


John dropped out of school in 10th grade and hitchhiked to Washington State trying to get to Alaska. He ultimately earned his GED and eventually an MBA from the University of Alaska. His education included time in a one room schoolhouse in Minnesota where he tutored the younger children (he was in 5th grade). He read every book in that schoolhouse which included Jack London’s “Call of the Wild” . That book started his long, determined journey to Alaska.


John had more stories about Alaska than one life should allow, and he never tired of its ever changing, surprising beauty. Twice he was turned away from driving across the border due to lack of funds, but he finally made it to his beloved Alaska in 1958.


He was a photographer, logger, gold miner, fisherman, businessman and entrepreneur. He was also a fire boss for BLM, a fire Chief for Girdwood, a dog musher, real estate investor, and salesman for Gary King Sporting Goods in the 50’s. He loved skiing and managed Romig Ski Hill in 1958 and 59 and moved to Girdwood in 1969 where he worked for Alyeska Resort and began his lifelong love of Girdwood. Playing his harmonica and washtub bass and dancing the polka at the Double Musky always brought him joy and he was a wonderful dancer.


He owned the Texaco Service Station on the Alyeska Highway 1977-1995 and developed it into the Tesoro Mall. During that time he ran a wrecker service and pulled many terrified drivers out of ditches in the very worst weather the old Seward Highway had to offer. Much to his wife Kathy’s dismay, he would often leave a hot dinner on his plate to rush to a call for help which frequently kept him out all night. He loved working with the State Troopers and developed special friendships with several.


His service through Lions Clubs International since 1953 was very important to him and he was a proud district officer and charter member of the Girdwood Lions Club. He treasured special friends through Lions as well as through the Chaine des Rotisseurs. The evening before he died, he dressed in his tux and Chaine ribbons for a special dinner at the Captain Cook Hotel and was glowing with happiness all the next day about how good it had been to visit with so many friends. He was especially handsome in his tux and he loved attending multiple charity fundraising events that let him dress up!!


He was very proud of his service in the army with time served in Korea, US army intelligence in North Carolina and In Hawaii. He was an expert marksman who was recognized as such by the Army but actually developed his skill starting in 1942 when German P.O.W.s in Owatanna, Minnesota taught him to shoot a 22 using a Mercury dime as a target. His Grandma Baker was cooking for the P.O.W.s at the camp.


John was an excellent hunter/gatherer and loved picking berries and mushrooms as much as bringing home a sheep, moose, ducks or fish. John was honored to hunt deer with Chuck Yeager on Molokai in 1985 and loved the fact that he beat Chuck at horseshoes. They shared a wry humor and endless stories and they both had twinkles in those blue eyes when they smiled.


In spite of a major logging accident in 1955 in Darrington, Washington, a serious helicopter crash in 1960 and a vehicle accident in Anchorage that hospitalized him for months, he continued to work and play hard for many years.


Good Friday Earthquake stories from 1964 were endless as he had just started working for NC Company in Anchorage on 4th avenue after being medically retired from the army. He was in the sporting goods department on that fateful day in March and helped lead others out of the darkened store and then worked through the night securing downtown offices and distributing supplies after checking on his family in Rogers Park. What a mess that house was with a big pot of chili dumped onto the floor to mix with all the contents of the face down refrigerator and two terrified little girls clinging to their mother!


He was definitely the person you would want to survive a bad storm or earthquake with as he was resourceful in any situation.


He loved his super cub and shared hair raising stories of landing skiers on glaciers and fighting the winds along Turnagain Arm as he commuted to work in Anchorage when he worked for the State of Alaska under Governor Egan in the 70’s.


John was proud of his affiliation with the village of Pt. Hope and especially the Oktollik family there. He loved being involved in whaling and walrus hunting and was pleased to have been sponsored into the Alaska Native Brotherhood by Walter Sobeloff.


John was a mentor to many and loved sharing his years of experience with young venturers and was often anonymous in his financial support.


His gruff exterior hid his very generous heart and it was his kind and thoughtful heart that finally just wore out.


He was a devoted and faithful husband and father. He loved his 5 children and was always quietly proud of their accomplishments. He was instrumental in their happiness despite their lives taking them outside of Alaska.


He is survived by his wife and partner of 42 years, Kathy Bucy Trautner , his children Theresa Pearson, Carrie Mannon, John Tremayne, Lindsey Peterson and stepson Victor North, his brothers William and Richard Trautner, sister Mary Trautner Bolster, multiple beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, in-laws and outlaws and countless supportive friends.


John loved flowers and gardening, but in lieu of sending flowers, consider a donation to Covenant House Alaska, the Lions Club 49A Foundation or Girdwood Health Clinic, all of which were close to his heart.


A visitation will be held at 2 pm at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church on Jewel Lake Road, followed by a funeral mass at 3 pm. A military burial with honors will follow October 19th at 1130 a.m. at Fort Richardson. Those who wish to attend the military service may send a request to vfoister89@gmail.com before October 14th to obtain the required information for JBER access.


There will also be a celebration of John’s life in May when his colorful tulips are blooming, and Alaska is budding back to life.

To plant a tree in memory of John James Trautner, please visit our Tribute Store.

Events

Oct
18
Visitation
Tuesday, October 18 2022
02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
St. Benedict's Catholic Church
8110 Jewel Lake Road
Anchorage, AK 99502
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Oct
18
Funeral Mass
Tuesday, October 18 2022
03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
St. Benedict's Catholic Church
8110 Jewel Lake Road
Anchorage, AK 99502
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Oct
20
Graveside service with Military Honors
Thursday, October 20 2022
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Fort Richardson National Cemetery
58-512 State Highway, E.
Fort Richardson, AK 99505
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Final Resting Place
Fort Richardson National Cemetery
58-512 State Highway, E.
Fort Richardson, AK 99505
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