Holger "Jorgy" Jorgensen

Jan 26, 1927 -

Apr 4, 2020

Jorgy took his last flight on April 4, 2020, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital; Jorgy was 93 years old. There is no doubt that God took the controls and brought him home.

His life spanned 50-plus years of flying in the state of Alaska and around the world. When he flew abroad, his trips took him to England, France, the Middle East and the Far East, flying the Herc's (Hercules C-130). Jorgy flew a DC-3, DC-6 and a C-46, just to name a few, which helped build the trans-Alaska pipeline.

Just a few of the airlines he piloted for include: Foster Aviation, Munz Northern Airlines, Pacific Air Alaska, Northern Air Cargo, Everts Air Cargo, Nenana Air Service, Fairbanks Air Service, Interior Airways, Alaska International Air, Airpack, Woods Air Service and his beloved Wien Air Alaska.

"Jorgy was acknowledged as a pioneering bush pilot." At 90 years old, Jorgy was inducted into the Alaska Aviation Museum's Hall of Fame on March 25, 2017. Jorgy is accredited with over 35,000 logged air miles, not including his many hours flying bush throughout Alaska.

When Jorgy was a young man, one of his passions was dog mushing. He had a wonderful team, and especially loved his lead dog, Kitter. He would spend winters racing, and most winters in Fairbanks you could find him at the local racing events. As a child, his mother had a team and would keep the team ready for travel. In the villages and the mining town of Haycock, the only mode of transportation was having a dog team to get around.

Jorgy and his wife Rosalie raised their family in Fairbanks, and sometimes lived in Nome and Kotzebue, depending on where work was. The family home still sits at Third Street and Graehl, which was considered the outskirts back in 1950. This is one of the last family homes on that street. Now the homes are gone and businesses have moved in. Jorgy was still living in his home up to the day he passed.

Jorgy joined the Alaska Territorial Guard pretty much as a kid. Later, his older sister helped him join the Army, and their mother had no idea this took place. She was madder than a wet hen when she found out they maneuvered this act without her approval. It all worked out though, as he used the GI Bill to help get his flying lessons. Jorgy was an accomplished A&P mechanic. He was also a member of Local 302.

Jorgy was 1/2 Inupiat Eskimo and 1/2 Norwegian. He was proud of his heritage. He was also proud to be a veteran.

Jorgy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ooyan and Nagaruk of Koyuk, Alaska, and Torgrim and Kari Jorgensen of Tvedstrand, Norway; his parents, Ole and Jessie Jorgensen of Alaska; his wife, Rosalie (Gibler) Jorgensen of Fairbanks; his son, Holger Jorgensen Jr. of Tacoma, Wash.; his sister, June Jackson of Brookings, Ore.; and his brother Trygve Jorgensen of Kotzebue.

Jorgy is survived by his sisters, Martha Major of Fairbanks, Alaska, Thelma Christofferson of Valdez, Alaska, and Clara (Bing) Martin of McMinnville, Ore.; his son, Irwin Tucker (Tess) of Cathedral City, Calif.; his daughter, Kathleen Hodges-Waller (Mike) of Fairbanks; his son, Noel Jorgensen and his daughter, Roberta Scott, both of Fairbanks. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Richard Tucker, Dennis Tucker, Bradley Hodges; Esa Jorgensen-Croy; Lindsay Jorgensen, Ellie Jorgensen, Andee Perkins, Sterling Scott, Lauren Scott, Kyle Scott and Bruce Scott; and many great-grandchildren. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and others in Alaska and Norway.