--Published in The Alaska Dispatch News, 02/14/2016:

Weston "Woody" John Longson, 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Feb. 6, 2016.

Woody was born to Weston and Julia Longson in San Francisco, Calif.

He attended Liberty High School in Brentwood, Calif., and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from San Jose State University.

He enlisted in the United States Airforce in November 1963, where he completed pilot training in Lubbock, Texas. He was based at Fairchild Airforce Base in Spokane, Wash., and Anderson Airforce Base in Guam. He flew B-52's and was Captain for the 325 Bomb Squad. He was honorably discharged in December 1968.

After the Air Force, he flew the 727 and 757 commercially and eventually retired from Northwest Airlines as a Captain of the 747-200 in 1999.

After retirement, he lived in Anchorage, Alaska, where he founded the "Freedom Group," an Alcoholics Anonymous support group. Woody was very proud to be a part of this group and was given his 25th year recovery medal last year.

During this time he sponsored many people and helped them through their journey. He made an impact in the lives of many people and will continue to make an impact in their life through his memory.

Woody loved fishing, football, family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Charlene Hurst; and son, Michael Longson.

He is survived by his daughter, Katie (Steve) Streitz of St. Cloud, Minn.; son, Chris (Sara) Longson of Fairbanks, Alaska; grandchildren, Tyler, Brian, Isabella, Braydon and Anna; his lifelong friends, Dick Stanton of Martha's Vineyard, Mass., and Terry Shimek of Anchorage, Alaska; as well as his longtime companion, Phyllis Buchanan of Anchorage.