Fairbanks resident Gregory Spry died February 5, 1992, after a lengthy illness. He was 33.He is survived by numerous relatives in Kentucky, where he was born, and by his longtime companion Rod Steele of Fairbanks. He had many friends in Fairbanks and San Francisco, where he lived prior to moving to Alaska in 1979.
Mr. Spry was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, of which he was very proud. He served two tours of the Mediterranean and would often reminisce about his liberty calls in Israel and Greece. After leaving the Navy, he managed a sheep farm in New Zealand.
He will be missed for his easy smile and willingness to bend over for anyone in need. He was a talented cartoonist, volleyball player, and ultralight pilot who will leave a void in many lives.
A private memorial service is pending.
[Feb 7, 1992]
To borrow a phrase from Mark Twain, the report of Gregory Spry's death was greatly exaggerated Friday in the Daily News-Miner.The News-Miner fell victim to a hoax when it printed a phony obituary notice for Spry, 33, who works as a substitute teacher. Details of Spry's life, as related in the obituary, also were incorrect.
Contacted at West Valley High School, Spry said he believes the obituary was submitted to the News-Miner by a friend as a practical joke. "I have a lot of friends with a warped sense of humor," Spry said.
Spry's wife, Lisa Kljaiche, said friends and family members called her at home Friday after reading the paper. Some were quite upset, she said.
[Feb 9, 1992]
