Dewayne Larry Katongan “Boo-Boo, Chaquuluk”
Dewayne Larry Katongan was born on March 16, 1971 in Nome, Alaska to David and Mildred Katongan Sr. of Unalakleet. He passed away suddenly on August 1, 2023 in Anchorage, Alaska.
He was the youngest of David and Millie’s six children.
Boo-boo grew up in Nome and Unalakleet. He graduated from Unalakleet High School in 1990. While in school he loved playing basketball and any chance he could get, hunting with his friends. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
In 2012, Dewayne moved to Diomede Island and married Diane Iyapana. He was very loved in Diomede and spent a lot of time hunting and really enjoyed his life on the Island. While in Diomede, Dewayne worked for the City of Diomede and for BSSD building the gabion wall for the school.
In 2018 Dewayne left Diomede. He worked many odd jobs, but his most recent employment was working for John and Sunny at the Spenard Motel in Anchorage. While there he learned to pray and read his Bible and trust in God. John and Sunny treated him like family. In 2022 Sunny urged Dewayne to fly home to Unalakleet to surprise his mom and spend time with family. While in Unalakleet Boo-boo spent time moose hunting, visiting relatives, fishing, and spent many hours berry picking with his mom and family.
Dewayne was a loving son, brother, and uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He loved all his cousins and extended family. He was a reliable worker to his employers. Dewayne’s wife Diane said everyone in Diomede loved him.
Dewayne is survived by his loving mother Mildred Katongan, sisters Loretta (Brian) Johnson, Frances ‘Gooxie’ Katongan, LaVerne Katongan (Merlin Anahonak), Bev (Chris) Masters, and Teada Katongan (Galen Doty). Brothers David ‘Sonny’ Katongan Jr, and Darrell Pete Katongan. Aunts and Uncles Lillian (Glenn Katongan), Adeline (Charlie) Hopson, Ada (Eugene) Herrmann, Thelma Evan, Chuck Evan, Vaughn (Rita) Johnson, Sergei Ivanoff, Paul Fred Ivanoff (Irene), and Bill (Donna) Koutchak. Boo-boo also is survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews too many to name.
We will always cherish good times and his life with us, there will always be precious memories that we will hold in our hearts.
Peace to his memory.