D r. John Michael James, "Mike," a fourth-generation Alas- kan, physician, dairy farmer, miner, brother, husband, father, grandfather and trusted friend passed sur- rounded by family the morning of Dec. 27, 2025. He is remembered as a man who truly lived. His life expe- riences took him on adventures across Alaska, the United States and the world. Mike and his wife, Linda, loved to travel and experience the outdoors — floating rivers and even hiking the Chilkoot Pa ss; Mike hunted and fished, and he and Linda bicycled through Alaska and many countries in Europe. He had a passion for learning, and impressed the value of education upon his children and grandchildren. He walked his talk, and often shared the importance of living with a moral compass which he modeled through his honesty, dedication to any pursuit, respon- sibility and genuine interest in others and improvement for all. Mike was the first son born to Floyd "Mike" and Patricia "Pat- sy" James in Anchorage, Alaska. He and his brother, Patrick, were raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, where the family owned and operated Pat & Mike's Restaurants. The brothers had to peel 100 pounds of potatoes on Saturday mornings before they Dr. John Michael James Aug. 28, 1942 - Dec. 27, 2025 IN MEMORIAM
could meet up with friends, but once their chores were finished their adventures were the stuff of storybooks: rounding up stray dogs to build their own sled dog team or building a raft and floating the Chena River. The broth- ers built strong work ethics and lifelong friendships with Richard Gularte and Robbie Weidemeier through their
childhood escapades in Fairbanks, and later Anchorage. The family returned to Anchorage in 1955, where Mike's parents founded and grew the Gold Pan Gift Shop & Kobuk Coffee Company. Mike attended West Anchorage High School, where he met many lifelong friends, graduating in 1960. Mike graduated from Seattle University and earned his med- ical degree at the University of Washington. He was proud of paying for school himself. He worked in trucking on the Aleutian Chain to pay for his post-secondary tuition and living costs. At the end of each school year, he would sell his micro- scope to purchase his return to Anchorage. His perseverance in meaningful pursuits was legend to his family. He met Linda Rae Allyn during a summer home from medical school and fell in love. They married March 21, 1966, in Seattle; March 2026 will be their 60th wedding anniversary. In 1970, Mike and Linda returned to Anchorage, where they started his medical practice and their family. They had four children: Shelley, Molly, Michael and Joshua. Mike grew his practice over the next 40 years specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain medicine. He had a successful career as a physician. He founded Rehabilita- tion Medicine Associates with esteemed partner and longtime friend, Dr. Morris Horning; served as Chief of Staff of Provi- dence Hospital; founded Alaska Spine Institute and retired in 2012. Throughout his career, Mike was known for his interests out- side of medicine. He built and operated James Farms, the second largest dairy farm in the state of Alaska. Mike was a partner in Kobuk Construction, building homes throughout the Anchorage area. He also owned and operated NYAC Mining Company. He was very proud to be recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior for his commitment to land reclamation, earning the U.S. Department of the Interior National Award for Small Min- ing Companies in 2014. Mike was also active in public ser- vice to improve inclusion in Anchorage. Early in his career, he started Alpine Alternatives and helped grow Special Olympics and the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Anchorage — to provide enhanced access to recreation and athletics for all disabled Alaskans. Mike is survived by his wife, Linda; children and their spouses, Shelley, Molly (Edward), Michael (Deanna) and Joshua; grand- children, Alexandra, Megan, Nicholas, Devon, Jack, Noah and Sydney; and great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Emily. Mike is also survived by his brother and best friend, Patrick, and his children, Patrick, Katie and Nathan. Mike has been preceded in death by his parents and several of his closest friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Make a Wish Foundation of Alaska.
Stronger Together: Amplify Your Voice with AMA
AMA advocates to the public and policy makers on behalf of Alaska’s mineral industry. AMA also pro- vides a wealth of institutional knowledge to assist members in mining activities. AMA fights for our members to ensure that restric- tions on land and water use are economically real- istic and provide a balance between environmental protection and resource utilization. Through our activities in communities around Alaska, AMA works hard to increase public awareness of the mineral industry and its economic implications to the State and to the nation. A membership to AMA amplifies your voice on regulation and legislative issues, and helps fund continued outreach and education efforts by the association to Alaskans, while granting you access to industry experts who can assist you. In addition, eight local chapters of AMA meet every week or month, depending on the season, to stay up to date on key issues and provide teamwork for our fellow members.
AMA members also receive: • This quarterly Alaska Miner Magazine • Regular issues of the Alaska Miner Journal association newsletter • Annual Alaska Miners Handbook and Service Directory • Weekly Email - AMA Executive Director Update • Political representation for mining issues by the • AMA lobbyists in Juneau • Access to branch breakfasts • Opportunity to serve on a number of oversight and special interest committees • Affiliation with other trade associations interested in reasonable and responsible resource development • Promotion of legislation favorable to mineral development • AMA voting rights • Discounted registration to the Annual Convention • Special discounts on event registrations
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THE ALASKA MINER - THE MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
WINTER 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
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