Tag: Seldovia
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
Spooning Daisy – New Romance Novel based on our Seldovia!
Maggie contacted me about a brand new book she has written hoping that there would be plenty of “Seldovians” who would enjoy her fictional story set in ‘Otter Bite’, based on her experience here in Seldovia! I had the opportunity to interview her regarding her new romance novel, and she has sent me two copies – one of which I have donated to the Seldovia Public Library!
Maggie: There’s a story behind the story. Originally, I wrote Spooning Daisy as a single title (in publishing, that means only one–no sequel), but the publisher (Kensington) loved Otter Bite so much that they asked for two more with the same setting. Truth is, I’m hoping to write even more than that. But it all depends on how well this series of three is received. I would really love to be the “Dana Stabenow” of romance. Yes, that’s pretty lofty, but I love Otter Bite and want to share it with the world. I’m hoping “Seldovians” will help promote the book to friends and family AND to tourists. I’m a new author and it’s easy to get lost in the world of books. I could use a little help. A good review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads would be greatly appreciated. And MANY MANY THANKS to Jenny for this interview. I’m sending her two copies of Spooning Daisy to use as she thinks best. And thanks to Seldovia for some of the best memories of my life! Wouldn’t this be a great setting for a TV series?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.
David John “Eric” Erickson
Submitted by Frieda Erickson
Oro Valley, AZ – David John “Eric” Erickson died on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, in Oro Valley. Eric was born August 14, 1943, in Cheyenne, Wyoming to parents Harold Erickson and Martha Leefers Erickson. He grew up in Cheyenne and graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1966 with a degree in mathematics. Pursuing his childhood dream of flying, Eric joined the U.S. Air Force and became a pilot. He served in Vietnam before being recruited to join the Ravens, an elite group of pilots who flew extremely dangerous and covert forward air control missions in Laos during the Vietnam War. During his service, he received a Purple Heart and two Air Medals. After his time in the Ravens, Eric joined the Flying Tigers Line, which was later acquired by Federal Express. He rose to the rank of Captain, and continued to fly internationally until he retired in 2003.
Eric lived for many years near Spokane, Washington, before moving to Alaska. He spent most of his retirement in the land of the midnight sun, splitting his time between Wolf Lake and Seldovia. Retirement did not lessen his love of flying and it did not keep him out of the cockpit. Eric loved nothing more than showing off the beauty of Alaska to friends and family while flying his beloved Cessna. Never one to sit still for long or to pass up an adventure, Eric flew for the Iditarod Air Force transporting mushers, sled dogs, and supplies along the 1,100 mile trail between Anchorage and Nome. He also flew humanitarian relief missions for the United Nations in the African country of Chad. Eric eventually traded in his wings for wheels, and he and his wife Frieda spent the past several summers exploring the “lower 48” in their motor coach. They began spending winters in Oro Valley in 2014.
Eric will be remembered fondly by all who knew him for his sense of humor, his catch phrases for every situation, his love of family, his loyalty to friends, his patriotism, and his adventurous spirit.
Preceding Eric in death is his first wife, Joyce Erickson; his parents, Harold and Martha Erickson; his brother, Harold Erickson; a stepson, Lonnie Shippy; and a stepson-in-law, David Semmler.
Surviving is his wife and best friend, Frieda Erickson; daughter, Amy Erickson (Quentin Vaughan) of Livermore, CA; son, Eric Erickson (Ashley McCloud) of Sioux Falls, SD; stepdaughter, Tonya Semmler of Littleton, CO; five grandchildren, Ingrid Vaughan, Nate, Nicole, Seth and Paige Semmler; sister, Nora Heaton (John) of Ft. Collins, CO; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will hold a private memorial. Memorial contributions may be made in Eric’s name to the Seldovia Bible Chapel, P.O. Box 256, Seldovia, AK 99663 or the Arizona Fisher House (www.arizonafisherhouse.org).
Seldovia Time
