After a full life of adventure, hard work, family, and faith, John Clay “Jack” Tragis passed away on Dec. 21, 2024, in Aurora, Colorado, where he had been living for the past year and a half.
Jack was born on Aug. 26, 1939, right on his grandfather’s kitchen table. Growing up in Detroit shaped so much of who he became, and the strong foundation he built at Detroit Catholic Central High School stayed with him for life.
After serving a tour in Korea as a corporal in the U.S. Army, Jack married the love of his life, Darlene Elizabeth Hanson, in 1963. They welcomed their daughter, Tammy Jo, and spent their early years together working in the family bookbinding business in Oregon. But Jack had bigger dreams, so he packed up the family and moved back to Michigan, where he proudly graduated from the University of Detroit in 1968 as an ROTC cadet.
Soon after, Jack was deployed to Vietnam, where he served as a Dustoff helicopter pilot, flying dangerous missions that saved countless lives and earning a Bronze Star for his bravery. Unlike today, returning soldiers were often met with protest and little recognition, rather than gratitude. In 2024, a Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to all Vietnam-era aeromedical evacuation (Dustoff) crews in recognition of their bravery and service. It was a difficult time to serve in the military. After Vietnam, Jack continued his service flying search and rescue missions out of Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, where his son John was later born at the Air Force Academy hospital.
The military life meant more moves ahead. Deep in their Catholic faith, Jack and Darlene were thrilled when he was accepted into the MBA program at the University of Notre Dame – a major milestone for a first-generation college family. Their time at Notre Dame gave them friendships that lasted a lifetime, including Greg Thomas.
From there, the family moved to Fort Sam Houston, and eventually, in 1983, to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Jack promised Darlene they’d only be there three years, and sweetened the deal with a promise of a mink coat. True to Alaska life, those “three years” stretched into the rest of their lives.
After retiring as a lieutenant colonel, Jack started his post-military life working at Credit Union 1 with his good friend Jim Hasselberger, and later as finance officer for Utility Services of Alaska with George Gordon. However, Jack’s true passion showed outside of work: alongside Darlene, they helped found the Fairbanks Arctic Lions and the Fairbanks Ice Dogs hockey organizations. They were both honored with induction into the Fairbanks Hockey Hall of Fame, and their photo may be found when walking around the track of the Big Dipper ice arena.
Jack was an athlete and outdoorsman to his core. He loved fishing, sheep hunting, and, especially, moose hunting with his longtime buddy Nate Miller, and with John, Al, and his grandson Ian. One of his proudest moments came in 1996, when he caught a world-record halibut in Dutch Harbor, a fish so big it actually made a 6-foot-7 man look small. That record still stands, and a cast of the fish is on display at Fairbanks International Airport today.
Even in retirement, Jack stayed busy. He volunteered tirelessly for the Ice Dogs, the Catholic diocese, and served as a Stephen Minister, offering a listening ear and a helping hand to anyone in need. His faith sustained him through every chapter, especially after Darlene passed away in 2016.
Anyone who went to Mass in Fairbanks probably remembers Jack’s unmistakable voice – loud, joyful, and completely off-key – singing every hymn with his whole heart. He always said, “You’re never out of tune when you’re singing for the Lord.”
Jack was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, John Valentine and Betty Tragis, and his mother and stepfather, Pauleen (Welling) and Wallace Kiefer. He is survived by his daughter Tammy (Al McCook), son John (Tori), grandsons Ian and Scott Tragis, his half-brothers Paul Tragis, Ronald Kiefer, and Richard Kiefer, his in-laws and their families, and a large circle of friends who became family over the years.
A Celebration of Life will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, at the Pike’s Waterfront Hotel. On Saturday, May 31, a funeral Mass will be held at high noon at Sacred Heart Cathedral, officiated by Father Ross Tozzi, with a private burial to follow.