Janis J. Plume

Jul 21, 1960 -

Jul 28, 2026

Janis Juris Plume, formerly of Anchorage, passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026, following a brave struggle with the complications of heart failure.

Janis was born at a U.S. Forest Service lookout post in Grangeville, Idaho. He was the son of Maija Plume (nee Slesers) and Ventis Plume. Ventis's work for the Forest Service took his family all over the country, from Grangeville to Western Maryland to the Columbia River valley and, eventually, to the majestic landscape of Alaska, the state that Janis called home for 51 years.

Janis arrived in Anchorage with his family in summer 1974. He graduated from East High School in the class of 1978. It was during high school that Janis first met Jorgia Marie Bergman, who would eventually become his wife.

After an adventuresome decade in Juneau, Alaska, Janis returned to Anchorage in 1987. He enrolled at UAA, majoring in journalism, and rekindled his acquaintance with Jorgia. The two were married on July 29, 1989. After graduating from UAA, Janis began what would become a rewarding, decades-long career in advertising and media.

In 1993, Janis and Jorgia welcomed their only child, a son, Douglas. Being a father to Douglas was the thing that made Janis the most proud. Another of his proudest and most lasting achievements was in finding sobriety and succeeding in recovery. Janis found a supportive and lasting community in AA, and gave of his time and talent in service work whenever he could.

Janis will be remembered for his wit, fine sense of humor, adventuresome spirit and his love of his family. Janis is survived by his wife, Jorgia; son, Douglas; and sisters, Mara Gano and Inta O'Brien.

A celebration of life for Janis will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Kincaid Chalet, 6998 Raspberry Road in Anchorage.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Janis's memory may be made to the American Heart Association or to Life Donor Services Alaska.