James, Albert Joseph

Longtime Arctic Village resident Albert Joseph James passed 
away on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010.

"A Great Chief once told me 'Tribal Chiefs are not elected. # 
They are born. A Chief wakes up in the morning and thinks 
'what can I do for my people today?' that will last until my 
great-grandchildren are Chiefs after me" # Albert James.

Albert Joe left us to be with K'eegwaadhat on Aug. 18, 2010, 
at home in Vashraii K'oo. He was born in Fort Yukon to Ezias 
and Martha (Tritt) James. Albert was raised on the land at 
Sheenjik trapline, Fort Yukon and Arctic Village. 

He attended Chemawa Indian Boarding School in Salem, Ore., 
then went into the Navy. The Navy gave him the opportunity 
to travel the United States and internationally to places like 
Vietnam. The Navy also left Albert with a vocabulary the Navy 
is known for.

Albert returned to Arctic Village and found the love of his life 
of 30 years, Bertha Ross. Together they had three children; 
Marvin Ross, Mariah Wiehl and his pride and joy Lemmit Ross. 
Albert's other pride and joy was their dog, Eva.

Albert Joe was a caring, intelligent and silly man who could 
make everyone laugh with his funny little words of wisdom or 
comical stories. He was a distinguished and expert hunter, 
trapper, carpenter, electrician, mechanic and professional 
welder. Albert helped with welding the Golden Gate Bridge. He 
was raised off the land the Gwich'in way and this made him a 
hard worker all his life. He was 10 years old when his father, 
Ezias, made him little snowshoes; and with those, the 
determined little Albert Joe made the first airport in Sheenjik 
by walking back and forth. This allowed planes to land there.

He always worked hard for his family and the community of 
Arctic Village. Albert always was willing to lend a helping 
hand. His joy was all the children who made him smile. Albert 
served the community for years as a chief and council 
member. Albert also raced in one of the first snowmachine 
races from Chalkyitsik to Fort Yukon in the 1970s, placing 
fourth. Albert loved his people, the outdoors, his Gwich'in way 
of life, his favorite Native food Ch'andoh'gyuu and Spam. 

Albert will be remembered for his happy-go-lucky attitude; 
funny stories, his ability to make people laugh, and his ability 
to light up the room with his smile and presence.

Albert Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Ezias and 
Martha (Tritt) James; his grandparents, the Rev. Albert Tritt 
and Sarah Gho' and Birch Creek James and Agnes James; 
uncles and aunt, Isaac Tritt Sr., Paul Tritt Sr., Abel Tritt, 
George Tritt Sr., Paul James, Walter James, Victor James, Neil 
James, David James and Effie Fredson; brothers, Edward James 
and Jonathon James; brothers-in-laws, Abraham John Sr., 
Isaac Ross and Kenneth Ross; sisters, Marion James and Nena 
Russell; nieces and nephews, Cora and Jim Christian, John 
John, Annie Marie James, Brian James and Irene John.

Albert is leaving behind his lifelong companion, Bertha Ross; 
children, Lemmit Ross, Mariah Wiehl and Marvin Ross; 
granddaughter, Holly; brothers and sisters, Dorothy John, 
Gideon James, Lillian and Jerry Garnett, Sarah James and 
Jonathon and Josie John; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, 
Katie Wiehl, Cissy Wiehl and Eddie Wiehl; uncle, William 'Ooluu' 
Tritt and Cora; aunts, Exenia McClean and Margaret Martin; 
nephews and nieces, Louie John and Margie, James John, 
Abraham John Jr., Mark Lewis James, Ezias Mike and Michelle 
Garnett, Brandon Garnett, Dana Goodbear, Marion and Charlie 
Swaney, Marie and Harvey Willoya, Yolana John and Dennis, 
Jerrilyn and Efrain Rangel, Martha Russell and Mitchell, Joyce 
John, Tonya Garnett and Bruce, Katie Ward, Jaysanna Wiehl, 
Anthony Wiehl, Johnson and Clifford David and Isaiah Wiehl; 
and godchildren, Karlas Norman and Kate Lynn Hollandsworth.

He also leaves behind many great-nieces, great-nephews, 
cousins, good friends and other relatives in Birch Creek, Arctic 
Village, Venetie, Fort Yukon, Fairbanks and the Lower 48s. We 
loved Albert Joe!

Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 25, 
with the funeral at 2 p.m. at Fairbanks Funeral Home.

A celebration of life will be held Thursday, Aug. 26, in Arctic 
Village. He will be laid to rest in Arctic Village Cemetery, with 
military honors provided by the U.S. Navy.

Arrangements were entrusted to Fairbanks Funeral Home. 

Published in Daily News-Miner on August 24, 2010