Gary 'Trigger' Twigg

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 5 PM at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Talkeetna, Alaska, reception following. An additional service will be held on January 31, 2015, at 11 AM at the Palmer Masonic Lodge, 1022 South Cobb St., Palmer, Alaska. There also will be A Celebration of Life on Trigger’s birthday, May 20, 2015, in Talkeetna, location to be announced.

Trigger was born on May 20, 1950 in Cumberland Maryland. He Graduated from Fort Hill High School in Maryland, and then served an apprenticeship with B+O Railroad. His job took him to Alaska in 1980 where he lived in Eagle River and worked for the Alaskan Railroad. In 1988, he moved to Santa Barbara, California, which brought him many new opportunities, with such work as a body guard, acting, and managing a night club. In 1994, he moved to Talkeetna, building his dream home in the woods, with no running water, electricity or road. A jack-of-all-trades, he worked many different jobs, moving houses, hunting guide, construction, and working for the Air Taxis. He attended many churches of different denominations and was a member of the York Rite Masonic Order.

Trigger was an avid mountaineer, summiting Denali in 1993, attempting a winter ascent of the Wickersham wall, north face of Denali, in 1999, as well as many other climbing adventures in the Alaska Range. He was an avid outdoorsman & hunter with a special passion for traditional bow hunting. “Trigger” was a unique man of contrasts, larger than life, storytelling-adventurer with a deep faith in God. He was imaginative, artistic & perseverant. “Never give up” was his motto and “Carpe Diem” was how he lived.

Trigger is survived by his wife, Margareth Burd Twigg of Talkeetna, AK, daughters, Margareth Allegany Twigg(8) of Talkeetna, AK; Kimberly( Erik) Whetsel of Ridgeley, WV; Castira (Brien) Stanton of Hillsdale, MI; Virginia Twigg of Santa Barbara, CA; uncle & aunt, Charles and Bunny Hardy of Cumberland, MD; grandsons, Noah & Hayden Whetsel of Ridgeley, WV; David Stanton of Hillsdale, MI.

He was preceded in death by parents, Virginia Hardy Twigg Smith & Edward Twigg, cousin, Jay Hardy, grandparents, Charles & Hazel Hardy.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Valley Funeral Home. You are invited to visit Trigger’s on line guest book at www.AlaskanFuneral.com