John J. Huntington, our beloved husband, father, papa, and favorite uncle, left this earth peacefully on June 05, 2024, with his family by his side.
John was born on January 3, 1946, in Tanana to the late Sidney Huntington & late Jenny (Luke) Huntington. He was raised in Koyukuk along with his seven siblings. John moved to Tanana in his teenage years to attend school, where he met the love of his life, Lois Edwin.
John grew up trapping, fishing, and hunting along the Yukon and Novi Rivers. He especially enjoyed going to the Hog River and up and down the Koyukuk River.
Together, John and Lois had four children, Jacqueline, Daphne, Leon John, and Leeanne “Bitsy Boo” who they raised together in Tanana. In the summers, John and Lois spent long days working alongside their children at the Edwin fish camp in Rapids on the Yukon River. They enjoyed their time together at camp, experiencing new places and making memories by going on family trips throughout the years.
A favorite pastime of John’s was helping his wife Lois with dog mushing. He spent many hours helping with racing and training dogs in the Tanana spring carnivals and sometimes traveled to race in other spring carnivals along the Yukon River. Later, John enjoyed helping and traveling with their daughter Bitsy for her dog races.
Even though John was quiet, he enjoyed teasing his family and friends, especially his nieces and nephews, by making up fun nicknames for them. John had a special spot in his heart for his baby, Steevie Erickson, whom he called “Baby Gorgeous.”
John is preceded in death by his parents, Sidney Huntington and Jenny Huntington, and his father and mother-in-law, Lee and Marian Edwin. Siblings: Judy Huntington, Arnold Huntington, Carl Huntington Sr., Henry Huntington, and Electa Huntington.
John is survived by his loving wife Lois and his children: Jacqueline, Daphne, Leeanne, Leon John, his favorite daughter-in-law Darlene and “papa’s girls” twin grand babies Rosie and Marian, son Robert (Sharon) Albert and children Donovan, Robert, and George, daughter Patti (Reese) Huhta and children Nikki, Jenny, Hunter, and Fisher Dill. Special nieces and nephews: Kailey Jo, Steevie, and Landon Erickson. Siblings: Marie Simmons, Roger (Carol) Huntington, Elma Gillett, Ruth Folger (Charlie), Annie Huntington-Kriska, Tom (Sharon) Huntington; Charlie (Elizabeth) Huntington, Calista (Gary) Mattison, Fred Huntington Sr., Leonard (Matilda) Huntington Sr., Harold (Shirley) Huntington Sr., Agnes (Russ) Sweetsir, Betty Huntington, Gilbert (Margaret) Huntington, Andrew (Tammy) Huntington and Mark Huntington. And many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
John also leaves behind many others who have been lifelong friends, family, and relatives all along the Yukon River. John was “uncle” to many, and all his nieces and nephews had a special place in his heart.
A special thank you to all the family, friends, and loved ones who were by our side, providing assistance and comfort through John’s final days and throughout his short illness.
