Richard Slwooko Obituary

Richard Kemuggwiyi Slwooko, 59, died May 3, 2010, at the Alaska Native Medical Center of natural causes.

A service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Northside Adventist Church. Pallbearers will be Tim, Nathan, Chris, Joe, David and Harold.

Richard was born Dec. 17, 1950, in Gambell to Joseph and Grace Slwooko. He lived most of his childhood in the Morningside area of Salem, Ore. He later moved to Valdez and finally to Anchorage, living at Hope Cottages.

Richard enjoyed fishing, dancing and bowling and also enjoyed going out for lunch with his friends and relatives.

Richard had many friends who loved and cared for him. Sharon Keese, his longtime friend, said that he's an angel sent to look after us. Thomas Bandelow and John Gilliom took him out boating and fishing and he caught a 200-pound halibut. "Richard never let us go hungry." Many of his friends said that he looked like Ray Charles when he put his sunglasses on with his beautiful smile.

Richard is survived by his mom, Grace Slwooko; sister, Carol (David); brothers, Joseph and Harold; longtime friends, Sharon Keese and Thomas Bandelow; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He is also survived by his caregiver, Chris Davis.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph K. Slwooko; brother, David; sisters, Violet, Sarah, Esther and Angeline Mary; and grandparents, Charles and Amy Slwooko.

Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel, www.janssenfuneralhomes.com.