Ray Andrew Katchatag

Ray Andrew Katchatag, known for his lifetime as Booba, was born to Fred Sr. and Ebba Katchatag on February 26, 1951 in Unalakleet, Alaska. He passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends on July 26, 2024 at the Alaska Native Medical Center.

Booba attended Unalakleet Day School and graduated from Covenant High School in 1970. He furthered his education at Haskell Institute. Booba worked at various jobs including the Alyeska Pipeline and the Unalakleet Native Corporation. 

Booba had deep affection for his nieces Ebba Bruce, Karlee, and Markayla Katchatag and great nephew Joshua Katchatag.

He was well known for his sourdough pancakes and invited many people to enjoy pancakes with him. Booba had great passion for our subsistence lifestyle. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and cookouts over campfires. 

Booba had nicknames for everyone. As soon as he found out your first name, he had a nickname for you. He also had a passion for the Iron Dog race and was inducted into the Iron Dog Hall of Fame in 2013. He looked forward to the spring breakup yearly.

Ray Booba Katchatag is survived by sisters Hilda Gagnon, Alvina Katchatag, Fina Schlosser, Paulette Kniseley, Anna Pehle, Nora Katchatag; brothers Doug, Fred Jr. and Warren Katchatag, along with many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and plenty of cousins.

He was preceded in death by parents Fred Sr. and Ebba Katchatag, maternal grandparents Reuben and Katherine Paniptchuk; paternal grandparents Joseph Sr. and Helga Katchatag.

Peace to his memory.