James Jim Cann

Longtime Alaska pioneer James Cann, 88, of Anchorage, Alaska, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, at Providence Extended Care - Talkeetna Cottage. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

James was the younger of two sons born to Milton Clayborn Cann and Zella Stevens, on Sept. 7, 1932, in Summers, Ark. He grew up on the family farm, and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

James married Joye Lurelia Calico on Aug. 31, 1953. After returning from his service in the U.S. Army with grand stories of Alaska, they drove up the Alaska Highway, arriving in Anchorage in May 1956.

James and Joye began homesteading on the Burma Road in 1959. They raised their two children on their homestead until they moved to Anchorage in 1966. James served in the Air National Guard at Kulis Air National Guard Base, flying in and out of Anchorage daily from their homestead.

James pursued his lifelong passion for hunting and fishing and became a registered guide. He actively guided hunters through 1988. James was a welder on the North Slope in the early days of the oilfield development.

James loved to fish the Little Susitna River, and was known as a fish-a-holic amongst his family and friends. He built his own smoker, where he spent years perfecting his smoked salmon.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Milton Clayborn and Zella Cann; brother, Wayne Cann; wife, Joye Cann; and son, Jon Cann. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Barr and son-in-law Murray Barr; grandchildren, Sherrill Collins and husband Ryan Collins and Keith Smith; and great-grandchildren, Briana Smith, Griffin Collins and Rosa Smith.

James will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Published in the Anchorage Daily News

on March 9, 2021