Donald “Sompy” Elliott, age 88, passed away in Palmer, Alaska on May 2, 2023. He was born in Florence, Arizona and raised by a single mom in the post-depression era. His fond childhood memories included participating in the annual Junior-Parada rodeo, singing with Gene Autry, and being the first to ride in a crop-duster to aid local ranchers.
He graduated from Florence High School in 1952 and attended Central Arizona College with a rodeo scholarship where he won many belt buckles and was a popular cowboy among his peers. In 1953 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea as a medic and first responder just prior to the armistice. After the war, he trained in heavy equipment and construction which later led him to start his own business, Bethel Builders. Donald spent his reserves at JBER and helped train the Alaska Territorial Guard with an honorable discharge in 1956.
He met the love of his life Evelyn Pete at Bergie’s Roadhouse in Bethel and wrote her many love letters during their courtship. They got married on August 15, 1959 and raised six beautiful children in a home filled with love and laughter. He helped establish Elliott Fuel Service with his brother Howard in the early sixties and built his family home in Bethel. There he started his own business and did construction on many local buildings and village schools and volunteered his skills to build the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
He served on the city council and became mayor in 1978. He instilled a hard work ethic and was proud to be the first one on the job and the last one to leave the work site. In the 1980’s, he started working for LKSD before fully retiring in 1995.
He was a hero to many and his larger than life character will never be forgotten. His quick wit, antics and hilarity entertained many with a funny joke, story, or sweet serenade to his wife Evelyn of 62 years. In retirement they became “snowbirds” and enjoyed the warmer winters in Florence and cooler summers in Bethel.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying, country music, rodeo, and boxing. He was most proud of his military service to his country, recently completed an Honor Flight trip to D.C., and was the last living charter member of Robert V. Lindsey VFW Post 10041 in Bethel.
He is preceded in death by his parents Margaret Verrue and Harvey Elliott, sisters Carol ‘Santi’ Moreno and Joy Elliott, brother Howard Elliott, son Scott Elliott and wife Evelyn Elliott. Survived by sisters Joyce Ramos, Nellie Pyeatt and children Glenn Elliott, Sundi Hondl, Rebecca Maloy, Jill Hoffman, Donna Bach and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A funeral mass will be held on May 13 at 12pm at the Sacred Heart Parish in Wasilla with a potluck to follow at VFW 9365. His burial service will be held July 1st in Bethel at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 2pm with a reception to follow at VFW Post 10041. Flowers can be sent to the church or donations can be made to the U.S. Veterans Initiative.
