November 25, 2002
Release 02267

FLAGS LOWERED TUESDAY FOR EDWARD NAUGHTON
Represented Kodiak in Alaska Legislature

Gov. Tony Knowles ordered state flags lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, November 26, in memory of Ed Naughton of Anchorage. Naughton, who represented Kodiak in the state House of Representatives from 1970 to 1976, died Friday, November 22 at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

Born June 14, 1930, in Cordova, Ed Naughton moved to Kodiak, where his father was commissioned as Magistrate, when he was five. Naughton graduated from Kodiak High School, attended the University of Illinois, and served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Richardson. He later joined the family bakery business in Kodiak, and was active in numerous local organizations: serving as president of Kodiak's Native Association, president of Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Rotary.

Naughton promoted the bakery's famous Russian rye bread, which was sold worldwide by mail order, until the tidal wave that followed the 1964 earthquake swept the bakery away. Naughton then worked as a postal clerk and coordinator for the Mental Health Center of Kodiak. He served on the Kodiak Borough Assembly in 1969 and actively lobbied for passage of the Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act.

Elected to the State House of Representatives in 1970, Ed Naughton served for three terms. He was a member of the 1971 initial Joint Select Committee on the Oil Pipeline Impact, and served on the Resources, Finance and Rules committees. Naughton later was a leading force in expanding the bottom-fish industry through expanded markets, joint ventures and federal support for the new fish industry. He served again on the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly from 1983 to 1986. After his years of public service, he built a small bakery, which he operated in Chiniak on Kodiak Island until 1995.

Naughton is survived by his daughter, Robin Naughton of Seattle; brothers, Harold of Anchorage and George of Kodiak; sisters Janet Lee of Anchorage and Jane Foster of Pocomoke, MD; and extended family in Kodiak and elsewhere. A private family service is planned at Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage to be followed by a memorial service in Kodiak at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association Alaska, 801 W. Fireweed Lane, Anchorage 99508.

In memory of his service to the people and the State of Alaska, Gov. Tony Knowles has ordered state flags lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, November 26, in memory of Edward F. Naughton.

Contact:
Bob King - Press Secretary (907) 465-3995
Julie Hammonds - Deputy Press Secretary (907) 465-3996