Lynn Clarke Chrystal

Lynn passed away March 5, 2024 surrounded by loving family and friends. Born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin March 15, 1942 to Milton & Geri Chrystal. He joined the Air Force January 1961 serving most of his enlistment in Alaska at remote sites of Galena, Tatalina and Tin City. After being discharged and returning to Chippewa Falls he met and married Janese (Harings) on January 16, 1965. Shortly after their marriage, the young couple loaded up their Ford Mustang and small utility trailer and headed up the highway to return to Alaska where he went to work for the National Weather Service. After spending a few months in Anchorage he accepted a position with the Weather Service in Barrow (Utqiagvik), Alaska. Daughters Tina & Rene were born during their time there. The family transferred to Yakutat, Alaska in 1967 where they had another daughter, Stacy. While in Yakutat he was a part time commercial fisherman and held one of the first limited entry permits. He was a member of the school board and was a partner in the C&W bus line (one school bus). After spending eight years in Yakutat, Lynn accepted the position of Official In Charge of the National Weather Service in Valdez, Alaska. After 37 years, he retired from the National Weather Service in 2002. During his time in Valdez he served several years as a city councilman and two terms as Mayor. After retiring from the council he spent nine years on the Local Boundary Commission, which took him to villages and towns throughout the state. The love of boating never left him and while in Valdez his family and friends spent many days boating, first on the Drifter and then the Mai Tai. He loved Prince William Sound and never tired of hunting on the islands or taking family and friends to fish and explore the beaches. After living in government housing for so many years, he dreamed of building his own house. He took on that task after retirement and with the help of numerous family and friends his dream was complete when he and his wife moved into their beautiful post & beam dream home. After spending 40 years in Valdez he and his wife moved to Wasilla, Alaska. For two years he enjoyed golfing at Settlers Bay Golf course before health issues put an end to that. He still enjoyed sitting on his patio watching the golfers go by. A highlight of his life was having the distinct privilege of accompanying veterans to Washington DC on several Honor Flights. He was a very proud father, grandfather and great grandfather and nothing made him happier than being surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife Janese and daughters Tina Summers, (Stuart) Liberty Lake, WA, Rene Chrystal (Bill Gillespie) and Stacy Escobedo (Manny) Grandchildren, Brittany Chavez (Kawehi) Maximilian & Melissa Escobedo and two great grandsons, Emmitt & Aiden Chavez. His sister Jana (Chrystal) Stojsavljevic and her daughters JuDee Fischer and Vicki Stojsavljevic as well as a large extended family. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 7 at Settlers Bay Golf Course. In lieu of flowers consider donating to a Parkinson’s Disease charity.