Cemetery would help former mayor live and rest in peace

As a former Mayor of Soldotna I would like to say that it is the intent of my family and me to return to Soldotna in the near future.

Four of our nine children have already relocated back to Alaska with their families and two more of our children and their families will be returning along with my wife Adele and I. Our plan is to be back home by the end of April of 2006.

It is my plan and desire to be buried in the Soldotna cemetery when I die and to have my wife and children buried in the same family area.

This is extremely exciting to me as Soldotna is where I found the love of my life, Adele. Where I renewed my faith in the Lord, and served the community that I love as a police officer and city official.

Soldotna reminds me of the book titled, “Acres of Diamonds,” where a man searched the world over only to find that the place that he left was where he found the diamonds that he so desired. That is my story. That is why I am so pleased to hear about the city’s desire to have a cemetery that those who call Soldotna their home can not only live but also rest in peace.

Tom Bearup

Phoenix