Alaska and our association lost several people in the past year, who contributed in a variety of ways to both Alaska mining and our state. We honor and remember them on the following pages.
J ack Lyman, long- time advocate for the mining industry and friend to the Alas- ka Miners Association, passed away June 30, 2025, in Clarkston, Wash- ington.
Jack Lyman July 20, 1949 - June 30, 2025 IN MEMORIAM
nies, and active participation on nu- merous state and industry boards. Beyond his professional achievements, Jack was an avid and accomplished golfer. He earned USGA Expert Rules Certification, volunteered as a rules official, and celebrated three career hole-in-ones. He is survived by his wife, Mona Ox- ford-Lyman; four children, John, Mag- gie, Jhordn, and Austyn; three broth- ers; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bruce. A celebration of life was held at the Crane Creek Golf and Country Club in Boise, Idaho on the morning of Sept. 27, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Jack's name to the Idaho Golf Association Junior Golf program. Jack’s legacy is one of leadership, integrity, and friendship. His contri- butions to mining and his impact on those who knew him will not be for- gotten.
M ary Anita Nordale, public servant, attorney and ad- vocate for Alaska, passed away in Fairbanks Dec. 22, 2024, at the age of 90. Mary was born in Fairbanks on April 8, 1934, to Alton Gerald Nordale, a territori-
Mary Nordale April 8, 1934 - Dec. 22, 2024 IN MEMORIAM
Sen. Bartlett, Mary was actively involved in crafting Statehood legislation. She lat- er assisted in in the early stages of the Alaska Native land claims movement and contributed to the development of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Upon returning to Alaska in 1968, Mary served as Assistant U.S. Attorney and then Assistant District Attorney for the State of Alaska. She then worked as branch counsel for the Small Busi- ness Administration and later entered private practice, specializing in business and mining law. Mary served as Com- missioner of the Alaska Department of Revenue from 1984 to 1986. Encouraged by Juneau colleagues, she became in- volved with the Alaska Miners Associa- tion, including becoming president to the Juneau chapter. Mary served on several boards, including Interior Gas Utility, Alaska Humanities Forum and the UAF College of Engineer- ing Advisory Board. From 2004 to 2011, she served as the first female president of Alaska Miners Association and later as a Director Emeritus. She was instru- mental in drafting bylaws to establish the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame, where she served as a Director and Officer. In 1978, they moved to Anchorage, where Joe built a family home in the Chugach foothills, a place dear to his heart. Joe later pursued entrepreneur- ial ventures, including a timber com- pany, a brewery, a server farm, and worked toward a transnational railroad linking Alaska and Siberia. An advocate for education, Joe served as a University of Alaska Regent and was a passionate reader with a vast personal library. His love for Alaska was profound and enduring. Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Aletha; sons, Joe, Will, and Steve; daughter, Carolyn; daughters- in-law, Lorna and Tracey; son-in-law, Ron; and six grandchildren. Special thanks to Nancy McLaren, who worked and cared for Joe for over 26 years and was with him at his passing. Donations in Joe’s honor may be made to Hope Community Resources at ho- pealaska.org/donate .
Born in Salt Lake City in 1949, Jack’s career spanned engineering, energy policy, and nearly three decades as Executive Vice President of the Ida- ho Mining Association. In that role, he worked tirelessly to promote and pro- tect mining interests, building strong relationships with industry leaders, policymakers, and partner organiza- tions, including AMA. His collaborative spirit and ability to bridge political divides earned him re- spect across the West. Jack’s leadership was shaped by a background that included service as an energy advisor to Utah Governor Scott Matheson, roles in government relations for natural resource compa-
al legislator, and Katherine Driscoll Nor- dale, delegate to the Alaska Constitu- tional Convention, both role models in her service through government. Mary spent her childhood in Fairbanks and then Juneau where she graduated from Juneau Douglas High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Gonza- ga University that included time study- ing at the University of Vienna. She lat- er obtained a Juris Doctor from George Washington University. Mary worked as a staff member for Sen. E.L. "Bob" Bartlett, when he was both a delegate and an elected member of the United States Senate after Statehood. The Bartletts, including Bob, Vide, Doris Ann and Susie, were her family’s closest and life-long friends. While working for
J oseph Ross Hen- ri passed away on Apr. 23, 2025. Born in Utica, N.Y., to Chester and Carrie Henri, Joe first ventured to Alaska in the 1950s to teach at a mis- sion school in Skagway. He later served honorably
Joseph Ross Henri July 28, 1933 - April 23, 2025 IN MEMORIAM
in the Army Intelligence Corps at Fort Richardson. After his military service, Joe attended Georgetown Law School, where he met his wife, Aletha, and Senator Ernest Gruening, who became a lifelong mentor. Joe and Aletha married in 1962, with Senator Gruening giving Aletha away at the altar. They traveled Alaska cam- paigning for Gruening before settling in Fairbanks, where Joe served as a mag- istrate. Following the 1964 earthquake, the family moved to Juneau, where Joe practiced law and served as City Attorney and later Commissioner of Administration in the Egan Administra- tion.
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THE ALASKA MINER - THE MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
FALL 2025 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
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