Alan Dyke Junkins, was born on December 5, 1929 in Cleveland Ohio. He lived a remarkable life, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him. His son, Ken, and daughter Laurelle, were there to lovingly say their goodbyes.
Alan, as many of you may know, bought family homestead property at the site of the Alexander Junkins burial ground and the Junkins Garrison. This location was where the Scottish Prisoner of War Robert Junkins and his family and descendants settled in about 1660 and lived for over 200 years. Alan and his wife Betty built a home on the property and moved there in 1993. Betty died in 1999, and in 2001 Alan married Nancy Hosking Smith.
Alan created editorial cartoons for The York Weekly from 1996 - 2001 and the York Independent from 2002 - 2005. He was a supporter of the York Land Trust. He worked on the Historic Marker projects, designing the markers throughout York. He worked on the York 350th celebration, creating much of the marketing materials and a painting of the Nubble which served as a visual focal point of the celebration. He was named York Citizen of the Year in 2003 by the York Chamber of Commerce.
He was a family historian and conducted several archeological digs at the site of the garrison house, helping to better understand the history of the Scotland Parish area of York. He worked with the Old York Historical Society on preserving the histories of the Scottish families of York. Through his love of family and his desire to seek out and connect with relatives he formed the Junkins Family Association, planned annual family reunions, and did countless hours of genealogical research and collected family artifacts
Professionally, Alan was a commercial artist, having learned his craft from the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. Early in his career he established Alan Junkins Studio in Cleveland, and created marketing campaigns for companies such as TRW and Sea World. He received several awards from the Art Directors Guild of Cleveland. Alan went on to become the Senior Designer & Supervisor of Promotional Design at the Franklin Mint in Media, Pennsylvania. He later formed Junkins Jerrell & Company with partner Parker Jerrell. After retiring and moving to Maine, Alan continued to create through Alan Junkins Studio.
Alan was incredibly creative outside of his profession as well. As a woodworker he was a proficient cabinet maker and woodcarver. He painted and worked in pastels, and created many illustrations for family and friends and various newsletters. As mentioned earlier, his editorial cartoons were seen weekly for several years in the York Weekly and York Independent newspapers. Alan’s passion for trains was intermingled with his craft for creating miniatures in his complex and widely known model train layouts.
Alan attended Kentucky Military Institute, and served his country in the U.S. Army in Allied occupied Austria during the Korean War. He was a Boy Scout Leader, an ordained Deacon and Elder in the Presbyterian church, a member of the Chichester Business Association.
And in his “spare time” he was an avid hot air balloonist. To say Alan had “a life well lived” is an understatement.
He is survived by son, Ken (Kathy) and daughter, Laurelle Christie, his grandchildren, Adam (Amber), Bryon Wright, Justin (Kim), Jeffery Wright (Kim), Logan, Richard Christie (Amanda), Shane Christie (Paige), Kellie Van Dyke (Zach), and great-grandchildren Cayden, Jason, Carter, Jackson, Robert, Gavin and Phoenix. He was pre-deceased by his first wife Betty (Feightner), his second wife Nancy (Hosking Smith), his brother Phillip, and his son-in-law Rick Christie. Alan’s legacy of love, family history, creativity and service to community will continue to shine brightly in the lives of those he leaves behind.
Memorial services for Alan will be conducted in S.E. Pennsylvania and in York Main in the spring. Contributions to the Founder’s Memorial Fund for York family burial ground maintenance may be made by sending a check to:
Junkins Family Association
C/O Stephen Lauritsen
15 Island Rd
Limerick, ME
04048
Make the check payable to Junkins Family Association and please put Founder’s Memorial Fund on the memo line.