Justin Michael Arnold Nanouk
Justin Michael Arnold Nanouk was born on February 7, 1982 to Karen Nanouk in Anchorage, Alaska. He was the first grandchild of Peter and Theresa Nanouk, who graciously adopted him as their last child. He passed away on June 13, 2017 alongside Peter Nanouk, in Golsovia. He was 35-years-old.
Although he was quiet and shy, he was humble and caring. He was always willing to help wherever he was needed. He never asked questions or refused to help anyone. Numerous times he would be seen on the river bringing his auntie Betty ice fishing or doing odd jobs for Anita Grant. He grew up going everywhere with his grandma and her friends to pick berries, check the net, bird hunt, and be their watcher for bears. He would say, “Sure I’ll follow and help pick whatever, get there, pick a little bit, then do whatever.” When you ask him if he was going to pick more, he’d say, “I did see.” One of his favorite sayings was “I don’t know.” No matter how much you tell him he must know, his reply would still be “I don’t know.”
Justin received his GED through Kawerak Inc. in 2001. He also received carpentry training at Amundsen Educational Center in Soldotna. This spring he completed the 40-hour HAZWOPER training in hopes to work this summer in Unalakleet. In the summers, he worked at Norton Sound Seafood Products as a fish processor. His favorite job was counting fish for the Native Village of Unalakleet, because he enjoyed being on the river. He often talked about his interest of going to an apprenticeship for carpentry with the Southern Alaska Carpenters Apprenticeship program.
He is survived by his grandmother and adopted mom Theresa Nanouk, biological mother Karen Nanouk, brothers/uncles Henry and Arley Nanouk, sisters/aunts Carol Wilson and Jolene Nanouk (Wes Jones), biological siblings KariAnn and Robert Grimes, Mildred Nanouk, Mary Sunny and Carlene Jack, nephews Wyatt and Roger, and favorite cousins Katie Ellanna and Amber Cunningham, who were raised like sisters at their grandma’s home.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Peter Nanouk Sr. and great-grandmothers Anna Etageak and Martha Nanouk
