Juneau Independent

Karen Taft “Taffy” Wells passed away peacefully at age 74 on Dec. 5, 2025, at her home in Portland, Oregon, after a two-year cancer journey.

Gordon Evans, a longtime Juneau attorney, former member of the University of Alaska's Board of Regents, and supporter of the Juneau Bar Association, passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2026.

Stanley Allen Moberly, 84, passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona, on Dec. 6, 2025, with family surrounding.

Steven Robert Lewis Sr., 74, passed away on November 18, 2025, in Seattle, after a very recent diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Betty McVey was raised on a farm in Caldwell County, Missouri. She died at age 92 in the Juneau Pioneers’ Home on Aug. 30, 2025, a few days after a debilitating stroke.  

Shirley Jean Andersen, a 25-year resident of Port Ludlow, died peacefully on Oct. 20, 2025, at the Liberty Shore Retirement Community in Poulsbo, Washington, after a long bout with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Longtime Juneau resident Wilhelmine Jean Larsen (95) peacefully departed her earthly journey on Nov. 12, 2025, at the Juneau Pioneers’ Home with family by her side.

Longtime Juneau resident William (Bill) Searls, 84, passed away peacefully at home on November 8. 

Andrew Dean Massey was born on July 18, 1957, in Petersburg, Alaska, to Mildred and Clarence (Jack) Massey.

Almost 70 years ago, an extraordinary person was born on this planet. We called him Jack Whitman, though he was known by many other monikers acquired from some humorous foray he was involved in. He left us on Oct. 3, no doubt looking for another adventure with some four-legged furry friend of old in some off-the-map place and a good fishing hole in which to plunk a worm.

Dr. David B. Robinson passed away quietly at home after a long battle with cancer.

Richard Juan Garrison, born Nov. 27, 1943, passed away peacefully Aug. 18, 2025, in Spokane from a short illness. He was a contractor for the Coast Guard in Juneau and Lower 48.  He will be missed greatly by his friends and family.