He was born on Aug. 31, 1920, in Juneau to Aino and Gusti Wahto. In 1940, he graduated from Douglas High School. After working for a time as a miner and other miscellaneous jobs, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942.

During his military career, he was wounded May 24, 1944, in the European campaign and Nov. 7, 1944, in the German theater. He left the Army on Aug. 27, 1945, with many medals, some of which were the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. His fellow comrades called him "Flying Finn" because of how fast he could run.

Upon his return to Douglas, he married Doris Balog. Together they raised six children. He worked as a commercial fisherman and sergeant-at-arms for the Territorial House of Representatives and for the Alaska House of Representatives and Senate. He concluded his working career in 1984 as safety programs advisor for the Alaska Department of Labor. Upon retirement, he and his wife traveled in their motor home for many years.

He and his wife were grand marshals of the Douglas 4th of July parade in 1991, an honor he valued. Again in 2004, he and Jeremy Lemke were grand marshals of the Juneau 4th of July parade.

His family will remember him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, fisherman, hunter and a wonderful storyteller and dancer.

He was a member of the Pioneers of Alaska, the Special Forces Association, First Special Service Force Association, Northwest Special Forces Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Post No. 5559 and Anzio Beachhead Veterans of WWII.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris Wahto; brothers, Ole and Arvo Wahto; and sisters, Tyra Anderson and Vieno Franklin.

He is survived by his brother, Gordon (Joan) Wahto of Anchorage; children, Douglas (Patty) Wahto of Juneau, Dennis (Linda) of Juneau, Janice (David) Kutz of Kingston, Jean (Joe) Smith of Juneau, Joan Atkinson, of Juneau, and Julie Wahto, of Juneau; dear friend, Alfreda Dore, of Douglas; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 26, at the Douglas Community United Methodist Church. There will be a gathering after the service at the home of his granddaughter at 5310 Montana Creek Road. A full military burial by the First Special Forces will be held at the Tahoma National Cemetery on Oct. 13 in Kent, Wash.

Donations in his memory can be made to Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, 419 Sixth St., Juneau, AK, 99801, or Juneau Douglas Ice Association, Box 240811, Douglas, AK, 99824, to support youth hockey in Juneau.

(Source: juneau-empire.com) 

(photos courtesy of Debi Austen)

Niche markers for Douglas T. Wahto in Section M, Row D, Site 46 of the Tahoma National Cemetery; Kent (King County), Washington/