John Ivanoff
Oct 5, 1966 -
Oct 16, 2022
John Wilson Ivanoff, age 56, passed away on Oct. 16, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by his loved ones. An Alaska resident since birth, John is a 1984 graduate of East High School in Anchorage, following his graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps and promptly attended "Boot Camp" and Marine ITS, otherwise known as Infantry Training School. After completing the initial training as a Marine, he went on to become a Military Police Officer and received an assignment in Okinawa, Japan. As a Marine he continued to pursue training in martial arts and was awarded commendations as a Marine sharpshooter, and Superior Performance award while assigned as Customs Inspector.
His completion of service with the Marine Corps concluded with an honorable discharge and with his return home to Alaska. John found employment on the North Slope with Purcell Security for 10 years, served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps for 18 years, and owned and operated Party Time liquor, Easy Pawn and Time Out Lounge in Anchorage.
John was the quintessential Alaska outdoorsman; a skilled river boatman, fisherman, big game hunter, notable for his skill in survival and bushcraft. He lived a life that epitomized old Alaska and the frontier spirit. His love of adventure and philanthropy in his endeavors quickly earned him an honorable reputation among the community. He was active in state and local politics, and widely considered a community leader in these domains, constantly fighting for the rights of local Alaskans, and for the spirit of America.
John was a community leader, an entrepreneur, a businessman, an outdoorsman, a veteran and a true red-blooded American. However, to many he was far more than that: he was a father, a brother, a grandfather, a lover, a friend, a man of faith and of God. A man whose booming laughter could draw forth a smile on the dampest days, whose handshake reminded one of basalt and iron, woven with a coarseness and strength that told of a hard-won life. His eyes spoke of wisdom, earned through pain, through perseverance, and behind those eyes was a man of keen intellect, of kindness, a man who ceaselessly found joy in life. He was a protector, a soul who upon meeting left a mark on people that will not soon be forgotten.
John is survived by his son, Kyle Ivanoff; grandchildren, Bailey and Bentley Ivanoff; the mother of his child, Linda Heitstuman; beloved and revered mother, Ann Ivanoff; siblings, Aron Johnson, Misha Ivanoff and wife Michelle Ivanoff, Dr. Lillian Johnson and husband Dr. Nick Van-Lith; aunts, Ruth, Betty, Clare and Darlene; beloved girlfriend, Tyra L. Moe; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A local celebration of life will be held at Time Out Lounge on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, from noon on.
