It is with great sorrow that the following is announced:
Galena's City Manager, Walter James Wilcox "Walt", 59, died on JAN 21 at Providence
Medical Center in Anchorage surrounded by family. A memorial service was held at All Souls
Episcopal Church in Anchorage on Saturday, JAN 24th, at 1PM. Walt was born to Don and Dorothy
Wilcox in Anchorage AK on DEC 23, 1949. He graduated West High School in 1968 and was the
first 3rd generation gradute from the University of Alaska, earning a BA degree in 1973.
He married his college sweetheart Brenda in 1974 and they had two children,
Walter James Jr. and Melinda Marie Wilcox Jones. After moving to Juneau, Walt
completed two masters degrees: public administration in public administration and education.
He served as Rep. Jeanette James' Chief of Staff.
Since 2004, Walt was the City Manager of Galena and led the City through difficult times.
He operated the city utilities and championed the Galena Interior Learning Academy (GILA),
transforming the former Galena Air Force Base after its closed, a major economic driver in the
community.
Walt was Chariman of the Board of KIYU Radio Station and he often paid for broadcast coverage
of high basketball games. He was a member of St. John Berchman Catholic Church, Pioneers or
Alaska and the Galena Civil Air Patrol (CAP) unit, the Yukon Squadron. Walt loved spending
time with his family.
Walt is survived by his son Walter "J.R." Wilcox and wife Lieza and granddaughters
Daria and Sophia; daughter Melinda Jones and husband Tim,; his parents Donald and Dorothy
Wilcox of Anchorage; brothers and sisters Mary Lucy Cannelos and husband George of
Anchorage, Bill Wilcox and wife Mary Lou of Valdez, Dee Dee Bennet and husband Jim
of Elephant Butte NM, Glen Wilcox of Tuscon Arix, and Peggy Wilcox and husband Theo
Garber of Anchorage, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
The Galena Police Department will never forget Walt. He was a fun and happy man who had
a wonderful sense of humor. Walt was a fair and caring leader and a devoted public
servant during his long and distuniguished career. He enjoyed being with his employees
and the citizens of Galena. Walt always supported city employees and the law enforcement
profession. He was a devout champion of the Galena Police Department and the men and women
who served as officers and in non-sworn positions; part-time and full-time. He was a
very active new CAP member and his dilligent volunteer work was instrumental in
allowing the team that got the Yukon Squdron started in Galena to be succesful.
He will always be fondly remembed and sorely missed.
Persons needing to contact city administration for matters usually handled by the
City Manager should contact City Clerk Shanda Huntington or City Finance Officer
Kim Wolf at Galena City Hall (907) 656-1301 and matters needing further attention
will be referred to Mayor Russ Sweetsir until a new City Manager is appointed.
The Galena CAP Yukon Squadron meets in the GILA Aviation Hangar, upstairs on the left hall, at 1900 on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month MAR-OCT (flying months) and on the 1st Thursday at 1900 NOV-FEB (non-flying months), unless otherwise announced. Many thanks to Lt. Col. Noel Frisbie USAF (RET) and AK CAP for his help, the help of Squadron XO Harry White and Galena School District Superintendent Jim Smith, for all their support in allowing CAP to use GILA facililties until the old F-15 CAC is secured from the USAF!
The CAP is pending delivery of a Cessna 182 aircraft and getting training set up to certify local pilots to fly CAP aircraft by CAP check pilots. We hope to make this weekend coincide with a "new unit flag-up ceremony and open house" in March or April. More info will be announced soon!
New National CAP web address:
http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com
RECRUITMENT: The Yukon Squadron of CAP in Galena is actively seeking good new people to serve in an exciting and rewarding volunteer capacity. Come serve your Nation and the local community! Contact the Squadron Commander John Millan at work (Galena Police Dept) (907) 656-2177, by radio phone (907) 656-0911 or email:
john.alden.millan@us.army.mil
CAP MEETING TIMES AND DATES: CAP in Galena now meets at the Galena City Hall:
FLYING MONTHS:(warm weather) APRIL-SEPTEMBER: 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month, 7:30-8:30PM.
NON-FLYING MONTHS (cold weather), OCTOBER-MARCH: 2nd Thursday, 7:30-8:30PM.
* There is no squadron meeting in December, except for command staff (CO, XO, Safety, Training & Opns Officers, though anyone is welcome to attend).
CAP FACILITIES: CAP is exploring getting office and meeting space at the old AFB site or at the old USAF CAC F-15 hanger at the airport. Stay tuned for updates!
CAP PLANE IN GALENA: The goal is to get a Cessna 172 and hangar space. The State Commander and the CO are working on that goal. Stay tuned for more info soon!
OPEN HOUSE: The Squadron is planning a new unit open house and ceremony in the spring, time, date and location TBA!
SUMMER PICNIC: Date to be announced (TBA)
HOLIDAY DINNER: TBA
TRAINING DRILL FOR SUMMER: TBA
STATE CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS: Contact the CO or see the AK State Wing website:
www.akwg.cap.gov
TRAINING: All new members need to complete the "new member" online course:
http://level2.cap.gov/index.cfm?nodeIDe64
Other training opportunities will be posted here and on the state or national websites.
CADETS: The Yukon Squadron hopes to expand to a "Composite Squadron" (adults and cadets under age 21 both) soon. Stay tuned for more info!
