Longtime Sitka resident John Timmer succumbed in his battle with cancer on Feb. 21, 2014, in Sierra Vista, Ariz. He was 68 years old.
John Joseph Timmer was born in Little Fork, Minn., Aug. 24, 1945. He grew up in the state of Washington, loving the outdoors. But the rugged appeal of Alaska drew him north, and in the early 1970s he moved to the state, married and started raising a family.
He eventually moved to Sitka to continue his life of commercial fishing and construction. He built custom homes, which would be featured in magazines due to their beauty and excellence.
John cherished his float house by Goddard Hot Springs and the scenery that surrounds it in Picnic Cove. He loved it so much that he named his fishing charter business Picnic Cove Charters.
He so enjoyed sharing his experiences and knowledge of all things outdoors with his friends and clients. He was proud of the many books he and world renown photographer Michio Hoshino created together.
John was dubbed the last of the “mountain men” and a “living legend” by tourists and locals alike due to his lifestyle and impressive knowledge of hunting, fishing, gathering, etc. He lived life on his own terms and enjoyed every bit of it.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Kathleen; siblings Calvin and Xavier, all of Washington State.
He is survived by his daughter, Celestia Timmer, of Grover Beach, Calif.; sons Joseph (Anna) Timmer of Grover Beach, Brian (Brenna) Timmer of Marcola, Ore., and Seth Timmer and Joshua (Colleen) Timmer, both of Chugiak, Alaska.
He also is survived by his grandchildren, Jereme, Arlo, Sebastian, Nala, Corbin, Liam, Cole and Bowen; his brother Stephen (Dottie) Timmer of Anderson, Alaska; and his sister, Kathy Anderson of Durango, Colo.
He will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and friends in Sitka including Mike and Sherrie Mayo.
Cremation has already taken place. A celebration of his life will be held this summer in Sitka for friends and family.
