Jan Barry Brophy

Jan. 17, 1944 – March 16, 2017

Jan Barry Brophy, 73, died March 16, 2017. He died peacefully at home holding his wife’s hand. “He went home to be with his Lord and Savior,” his family said.

Jan was born Jan. 17, 1944, in La Mesa, Calif., to James “Fred” and Mildred (Tillman) Brophy. He was raised in the Coos Bay area of Oregon, including Tenmile Lake. Serving in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964, he reached the rank of Sergeant E5. He received training in radio maintenance and as a communications specialist.

In 1975, Jan met his wife, Deborah Wood, at a small church in Spring Valley, Calif. After being introduced by his niece, he asked Debbie out for ice cream. They were married exactly three months later and soon moved to the coast of Oregon to caretake property on Tenmile Lake. The birth of four sons followed over the next few years. In 1986, they decided that Alaska would be a good place to raise their young sons. They settled in Homer, then moved to Soldotna in 1999, finally buying their first home in 2004.

In both Oregon and Alaska, Jan worked in the timber/lumber industry (millworker, tree planter, contract trapper); the fishing industry (fillet knife sharpener, commercial fisherman, boat owner, cannery worker); airline baggage and freight handler and many various jobs. But, he enjoyed most when he was self-employed with his own nature photography business while living in Homer. He finally had to “retire” due to health problems.

A born again, Spirit-filled Christian, Jan had enjoyed visiting various churches over the years. He was an avid reader of God’s Holy Word and loved studying various translations. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and archery, but especially looked forward to kayaking and canoeing with Debbie on the local lakes. He loved his sons and daughters-in-law dearly, but it was his grandchildren that gave him special delight, lifting him up when he wasn’t feeling well.

Jan was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Buster “Al” and Jay “Ted” Brophy; and sisters, Dawn Lara and Jeannine “Honey” Watt.

He is survived by Debbie, his wife of 41 years; sons, Elijah (Olya), Zebulun (Leah), Daniel, and Nathanael (Shannon); daughter, (from previous marriage) Naomi Mayne (David); grandchildren, Valerie, Jaxson, Jett, Maxim, Judah and Eben Brophy and Hannah, Sarah and Parker Mayne; and siblings, Peter Brophy and Merry “Ruth” O’Brien.

An open house style Celebration of Life will be held all day Saturday, March 25, 2017. Please e-mail squelch44@hotmail.com for information. If unable to attend feel free to email your sentiments. A private family gathering will be planned for sometime later in the year.

Arrangements were by Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai.