Obituary: Thomas C. Feller, Sr., 87

Thomas Charles Feller, Sr. died peacefully June 5 at the Alaska Native Medical Center surrounded by family and close friends after recently being diagnosed with cancer.

Tom was born on November 9, 1926, in Wrangell to Otto Feller, Sr. and Susie Cooday Feller. Tom was a member of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. He was Tlingit of the Kik'sadi, Raven/Frog, of the Sun House in Wrangell. As a member of the Alaska Territorial Guard, Tom served his country honorably from 1942 to 1947.

Tom was also a member of the first organized "Wrangell Thunderbirds" basketball team. He began fishing at an early age and owned his own boat at the age of 16. His passion for fishing led him to skipper several fishing vessels, including Christine II and Evelyn Rae. He owned five boats during his lifetime.

Tom left Wrangell to fish in the Aleutians and settled in Sand Point, Alaska, where he built his home and warehouse. He spent his life as a fisherman, always working on his boat engines or his nets getting ready for the fishing season. He fished up until two years ago when he decided to retire.

He is preceded in death by his father, Otto Feller, Sr.; mother, Susie Cooday Feller; brothers, Otto Feller, Jr., John Feller, Sr.; sisters, Annie Johnson and Clara Webster; niece, Erma Axberg; and nephew, Albert Feller, Jr.

Tom is survived by his son, Thomas (Buzz) Feller, Jr.; granddaughter, Samantha Feller; grandson, William Nakamura; sister, Christine Jenkins; brother, Albert Feller; nieces, Shelley Jenkins, Sue Stevens, Helen Feller, Luella Knapp, Erma Schwartz, Debra Eddings, Vella Sorensen and Helena Nelson; nephews, Chuck Jenkins, Jim Jenkins, Bob Feller, John Feller, Christopher Feller, Tom Feller and Walter Johnson.

Services will be held at St. Philip's Episcopal Church on June 30, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. There will be a reception at the S.N.O. Building immediately following the service.