Jay W. Evenson, 68

Jay W. Evenson, 68, died of natural causes April 18, 2012, at his home in Anchorage, Alaska.

He was born Feb. 14, 1944, in Kalispell to Wallace and Judy Evenson. He graduated from Flathead County High School in 1962, and in 1966 from University of Montana at Missoula, majoring in piano and music education.

He married Vicki Sager in 1966 and they had his only child, Toria. He moved to Valdez, Alaska, in about 1969 where he taught music, band and orchestra in the school system. He also had a charter boat that he operated out of Valdez. They later divorced and he moved to Anchorage.

Jay became a Realtor for Prudential and owned his own pesticide business, The Bug People. He had a very outgoing personality and was liked by many people. Music was an important part of his life. He was born with "true pitch" and could play almost any instrument. He started studying the piano at age 4 and continued playing until he was no longer able. He sang in the Anchorage Choir which toured Europe. He loved classical music.

Jay's belief in Jehovah was also important in his life. He was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He felt if anyone brought something to his home for him, they should leave with information about the Bible. It was important to him to tell people what the Bible really teaches.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wallace “Wally” Evenson; his grandson, Victor Estes; and nephew Bret Shanks.

He is survived by his daughter, Toria Estes and husband David, and grandchildren, Alec, Samuel and Olivia, all of Anderson Island, Wash.; his mother, Judy Evenson, of Kalispell; and sister, Pam Shanks, and husband, James R. “Bob” of Whitefish; nephews, James Shanks and family of Wheat Ridge, Colo., Randal Shanks and family of Everett, Wash., and Joel Shanks and family of Missoula.

Memorial services were held on April 21 at the Sand Lake Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Anchorage. Arrangements were made by the Anchorage Funeral Home.

Jay loved Alaska and he will remain there. No memorial services are planned locally.