My folks did much the same in the late 1940's, again a Willys Jeep.  Tanacross north of Tok was the first job for my dad and later on to Anchorage.  Eventually he got on with the CAA (forerunner of the FAA) and we bounced around Alaska from Annette Island to Northway to Biorka Is off of Sitka and finally Gustavus.  Built character.