John Korpi

Apr 9, 1949 -

Nov 3, 2024

John Henry Korpi, best known as Jack, the eldest surviving son of Henry and Martha Korpi, was born on Apr. 9, 1949, at Providence Hospital when it was located at 9th and L Street. The world lost a true "jack-of-all-trades" when he passed away on Nov. 3, 2024 at the age of 75

Jack attended North Star and Turnagain Elementary schools, Wendler Junior High, and graduated from West High School in 1967. He appreciated the days when the city was less regulated and he was free to explore and play in the great outdoors with his family and friends.

Jack studied engineering and art at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, where he made many life-long friends. Before and after his college days, he worked at his father's company, United Construction.

Jack met his wife, Rose Wilson, at Chilkoot Charlie's in 1974. They were married in August 1975, and soon after they both went to work on the pipeline at the Valdez Terminal. After his pipeline days, Jack became a General Contractor with his own business, Korpi Construction. Besides fixing just about anything that was broken, his interests included photography, designing and building items such as furniture, boats, stained glass lamp shades, and solving puzzles that baffled many. He earned his pilots license and helped in the building of his Citabria Champ which was lost in the Big Lake fire of 1996.

He enjoyed skiing (downhill, cross country, and water), flying, ice boating, sailing, and boating in general. He had many thrilling adventures on, and in, the waters of Prince William Sound, Kachemak Bay, Resurrection Bay, Cook Inlet, and Big Lake and various lakes in the Anchorage area. He endeavored to pass on his knowledge and skills to his daughters and grandchildren who were the pride of his life. His mantra to them, "Be Safe!" And, he often recited his favorite poem, Desiderata, which he thought was a good guide for life.

In his retirement years he was able to spend time helping his "second" parents, Haaken and Ida Gryte, on their Big Lake property. His water passion had started there in 1957, when the Gryte's obtained a homestead and allowed him access to many water related activities. His fix-it skills came in handy with equipment repair, barn building and field preparation when the property became a hay farm in 1986. There was never a lack of projects and repairs to be done. The farm, Moose Horn Land and Livestock, was a dream come true for him and a source of free manual labor opportunities for many of his friends. Another dream was to restore his 442 Oldsmobile. Unfortunately, he was not able to complete that project but he did find a friend who agreed to try and restore the car to it's original condition.

Jack's final years brought many challenges with an Alzheimer's diagnosis and placement in the Maple Springs Assisted Living Facility. He was lovingly attended to by his family and caregivers, especially his daughter, Shannon, and his Hospice nurse, Brooke. The family owes them both a debt of gratitude. During this time, his strength was a source of pride and he was quite adept at giving the caregivers difficulty when they were to help him with transfers. He was determined to hang on to what little remained under his control. The family would also like to thank those who took time to visit him during his two year stay at the facility and helped transfer him and his belongings back home in October 2024.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and by his dear friends Haaken and Ida Gryte who were like second parents to him since his birth. Jack is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rose Korpi; and his three daughters, Shannon Harper (Jason); Jacquie Korpi (Jonathan Price); and Kellee Korpi (Stephan Koweluk). He is also survived by his sister, Marsha Korpi (Mike Velikanje); his brother, James "Jim" Korpi (Laura); sister-in-law, Maxine Ford (Stan); brother-in-law, Chuck Wilson; four grandchildren, Phenix, Mattigan, Owsley, and ZaZa; and several nieces and nephews.

No services are planned. Donations may be made to the Alaska Aviation Museum, 4721 Aircraft Drive, Anchorage, AK 99502. https://alaskaairmuseum.org/monetary-donations/ or a charity of choice.