Feb. 20, 1941-Sept. 16, 2016
Mr. Virgil Wayne Englishbee Sr., 75, of Anchor Point, died from pulmonary fibrosis on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, at St. Elias Speciality Hospital in Anchorage, after a day surrounded by family and friends. A service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at Chapman School in Anchor Point.
Pallbearers were Wayne Englishbee, Brian Dean, Dale LiaBraaten, Jim Toci, Bruce Hunting, Neil Kinney, Russell Chesser and Jim Anderson, with honorary pallbearers being Randy Pittman, Darin Matson, Frank Christensen and Jimmy Englishbee.
Virgil was born on Feb. 20, 1941, in Houston, Texas. He moved to Alaska in 1974 with his wife Beverly and their four children, residing primarily in Anchor Point. Virgil began his career in Alaska working as a roustabout on the Monopod in Cook Inlet. He retired from BP Exploration in 2006, after 25 years working as a production operator on the North Slope. He was a deeply devout Christian man whose faith sustained him to the end of his life.
Virgil loved coffee, fishing, doing crosswords, wood work and playing the guitar, and delighted many with his rich, bass singing voice. His ability to connect deeply with people, and his playful way of joking and pranking, coupled with his wise counsel for his family and friends made Virgil a true friend and inspiration to many. He loved to travel with his family, especially to Kauai.
Virgil is survived by his second wife of five years, Jeanne Englishbee of Anchor Point; son, Wayne Englishbee and wife Lynn Englishbee of Anchorage; daughter, Loretta Englishbee and partner Randy Pittman of Anchorage; daughter, Kathryn Dean and husband Brian Dean of Anchorage; daughter, Rebekah Englishbee and Darin Matson of Washington; step-daughter, Sharon Geraghty and husband Jim Geraghty of Juneau; and grandchildren Amanda and Alex Englishbee, Brennen, Jon and Colton Dean, and Crystal Braddock, all of Anchorage; Collin Matson of Olympia, Wash.; Robert and Abigail Geraghty of Juneau; Stone and Samantha Berglund of Bath, Maine; brother, Jimmy Englishbee of Bullard, Texas, and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Beverly Englishbee; his parents, Virgil and Gladys Englishbee; his brothers, Reubin, Dan, Bobby, Billy, Ernest and Tommy Englishbee; his sisters, Dixie Sanford and Donnie Englishbee; and step-son, Tim Berglund.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3201 or at pulmonaryfibrosis.org. Flowers are welcome at the service. Following the memorial service, Virgil was cremated and his ashes placed next to his wife Beverly at the Anchor Point Cemetery. To leave online condolences, visit www.alaskanfuneral.com.
