John Ebona

Born July 13, 1935, in Hood Bay, Alaska, to parents Martin (Filipino) and Annie Paul James Ebona (K'iyaaltin, Tlingit.  Tribal Member of the Yeil; Deisheetaan, Dei shu Hit'-Raven Beaver, "End of the Trail House.  He was a member of the Sealaska Corporation and Goldbelt, Inc.

He attended two years in St. Martin's College in Lacey, Washington.  John was also in the United States Army and served in active duty in Korea.  He started out working in Chatham Cannery in the days of trap fishing.  He worked on Fish Tenders, most notably the Hetta for the New England Fish Company.

Throughout his school years, he was very popular and had many friends.  He attended the St. Ann's Catholic School with his siblings, then on to Juneau  High School graduating in 1955.  He was nominated and received the Most Valuable Player Award.  He was an awesome basketball player.  His number was #3, He played for the Artic Knights of Juneau, Alaska, in the Gold Medal Tournament.  A friend stated, he weas a 3-pointer basket slam dunk every time.  John loved sports and loved watching the Redskins, Lakers and other teams.  Most recently his daughter Maja made him a 12 Fan of the Seattle Seahawks.

He worked at the Juneau Cold Storage as Office Manager, Tlingit & Haida Housing Authority, and worked with long life friends Jonn Vavalis, Kermit Cesar, Milton DeAsis, Dave Hollingsworth to name a few.

When he retired he moved to Federal Way, Washington but would travel to various states to see his siblings.  He would take his family and later nephews out on his boat the "Gold Finger" for several days.  Also, many times he went out fishing with most family members and showed some how to bait the hooks and catch many fish.  That was a time for fun, laughter and memories.  Gold Finger was his CB name.  He was also known to many of his cohorts as "Sonny Bono."

]He was married to Diane Freeberg and they had two children, Derek Jon and Maja Lisa.

He is preceded in death by his Father Martin Ebona, Sr., Mother Annie Ebona, Brothers Andrew Ebona, Sr., Martin Ebona,Jr., Sisters Barbara D'Cafango, Edith Butler, Anna Marie Joe.

He is survived by Sisters, Ruby Agbayani, of New York & Mary Ebona, Brother, August (Michele) Ebona of Aberdeen, Washington, Children: Maja Lisa Brickener, (Scott) of Federal Way, Washington, Derek Ebona (Crystal Underhill) of Silverdale, Washington, Grandchildren, Asia O'Daniel, Amanda Brickner, Brendan Brickner, Erik Brickner, Ian Ebona, Avery Ebona, Caleb and Mason Ebona (twins), Myra Lamas-Underhill and Isreal Lamas-Underhill, and many Nieces and Nephews.