Stuart Okitkun, “Allmaruaq,” was born May 30, 1983, in Anchorage. He is survived by his parents Robert and Cecilia Okitkun; partner Crystal Nanuk and their daughter, Shavonne Nanuk; siblings Rita Asgeirsson, Rosella (and Aaron) Hem, Cyril Charlie Okitkun, Kateri Okitkun, Annette Okitkun (and Emery Matthias, Sr.), Corine Okitkun, Ruby Okitkun and Mary Pearl Okitkun; nieces and nephews Zander, Danika, Clara, Kaley, Krystin, Emery, Jr., Karmin, Bria, Link, and Mya.
Stuart is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Cyril and Anna Okitkun, and maternal grandparents, Alec and Rita Bird.
Stuart was raised in Kotlik and loved living a subsistence lifestyle. He provided for his family and community by hunting, fishing and gathering Native food all throughout the year. He especially loved bird, seal and whale hunting, rod n’ reeling and manaqing. Stuart was a highly skilled mechanic and outdoorsman and also an avid sports fan.
Professionally Stuart was the captain of the LCM Nanvaruq for six years until his passing; prior to that he was the deckhand of the late captain Edward Andrews. Stuart took pride of himself in his work and all that he set out to do.
One thing about Stuart, he respected everyone around him. He was friends with everyone. When called upon for help, he always responded and did his best to help, whether it was helping to fix a snow machine or to take his family and friends out hunting, fishing or gathering.
The pride and joy of Stuart’s life was becoming a father to Shavonne Precious Nanuk (1 yo) with his partner, Crystal. He was a very attentive, loving, patient and gentle father.
We all love and miss you very much, Stuart. Thank you for being our son, partner, father, brother, uncle, relative, and friend.
Quyana Cakneq Thank You
The family of Robert and Cecilia Okitkun would like to give a very special thank you to Davis and Della Kamkoff for finding Stuart’s body on Wednesday, May 10. A special thank you to Benny Kamkoff for calling 911 after Stuart’s body was found. Thank you to those who went up and prayed and sprinkled holy water. A special thank you to the four people – Alvin Aketachunak, Juwan Akaran, Grant Akaran, and Duyane Mike, who stayed up all night watching Stuart’s body.
Thank you to Benny and Louise Okitkun, Lenora Hootch, Tasha Bird, Angie Hickel, Bill and Terri Manumik, Dennis and Winnie Sheldon, Daryl and Paulina Okitkun, Cyril and Petra Okitkun, Jimmy and Maggie Okitkun, Della Hunt, Mary Keyes, Patricia Okitkun, Paul Hunt, Theodore Akaran, Raymond Teeluk, Davis Kamkoff, Thomas Wasuli, Millie Aketachunak, and Mary Ann Mike for your help and support.
Thank you to everyone who came from near and far to support our family, in addition to those who brought food, helped in the kitchen, said the rosary with us, sang uplifting songs and those who prayed for us during our time of loss.
Thank you to David Mike, Emil Mike, and Ralph Waska I for making the casket and outer box. Thank you to Louise Okitkun, Annette Okitkun, and Lori Mike for placing the cloth inside the casket. Thank you to Herman Hootch for making the cross.
Thank you to the grave diggers – Daryl Okitkun, Brent Okitkun, Shawn Okitkun, Rico Cheemuk, Chester Mike, Bernard Hunt, Joel Okitkun, Sam Okitkun, and Cyril Charlie Okitkun.
Thank you to these organizations – Ravn Air for the prompt delivery of Stuart and the Honor Flight at landing and departure, Kotlik Police Department, Kotlik Search and Rescue, Alaska State Troopers, Kwikpak Fisheries, Association of Village Council Presidents, Yukon Delta Fisheries, Kotlik Tribe, City of Kotlik, Bill Moore’s Slough, Calista Corporation, Emmonak Corporation, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kotlik School, Alaska Commercial Company, Kotlik Laufkak, State Medical Examiner’s Office, and other organizations that we may have not named.
Pall Bearers: Cyril Charlie Okitkun, Sam Okitkun, Paul Hunt, Brent Okitkun, Shawn Okitkun, Robert Jones, Donovan Okitkun
Honorary Pall Bearers: Martin Okitkun, Sr., Benny Okitkun, Reynold Okitkun, James Bird, John Bird, Peter Jones, Herman Hootch, Marvin Okitkun, Derek Bird, Bobby Bird, Charles Bird, Leeandy Mike, Duncan Okitkun, and George Nanuk.
