Don Alexander

Don Alexander

Don Alexander passed away peacefully in his home in Bonners Ferry, with his family by his side, on Aug. 27, 2017 from complications due to kidney failure. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at Bonners Ferry United Methodist Church. A luncheon will be served by the Bonners Ferry United Methodist women following the service.

Donald Joel Alexander was born on July 21, 1942 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho to Matthew and Florence (Douglas) Alexander.

Don grew up on the family farm in Parker Canyon and rode his horse to the Cow Creek School. He later attended school in Bonners Ferry and graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1961. Don entered the army in 1962 where he was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1965. He then went to work at Alexander Towing and Central Solvents in Spokane, Wash.

While working at Alexanders he married Julie Brazier. With this marriage he gained a daughter Leslie and had one more daughter Lisa. They later divorced. While still in Spokane he married Pat Nelson Fulgham and gained two daughters, Stephanie and Danielle. They had one daughter together, Lael. They moved back to Bonners Ferry, building a home on his family farm. While in Bonners Ferry, Don worked at the saw mill and drove logging truck and worked for the railroad as a signalman. He went to work at the City of Bonners Ferry in 1983 as a lineman. Don and Pat later divorced.

In 2001, Don renewed an old relationship with Gayle Boyce Ralph and they married later that year. With that union, Don gained a son. Don and Gayle remained married until has passing.

Don retired in 2004. He and Gayle traveled in their RV for several years until health problems changed their plans and they were forced to stay closer to home. He remained in his Parker Canyon home until his passing.

Don was devoted to the 4-H program and was a leader for 15 years. He also served on the fair board for 15 years where he was instrumental in getting the new pig and sheep barn built. He enjoyed camping, picking huckleberries, fishing and traveling in their RV. One of his favorite trips was a family trip to the Oregon Coast with all the kids and grandkids.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Matthew and Florence Alexander, and his grandson C.J. Erickson.

Don is survived by his wife Gayle; daughters Leslie (Paul), Lisa, Stephanie (Chris), Danielle, and Lael (Bill); and son Bob. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Samantha Shelton, Natalie Shelton, Zoe Shelton, Charlie Shelton, Mikki Erickson, Sasha Alexander, Austin Kerr, Gabriel Lewandowski, Gavin Lewandowski, Destinee Davis, Echo Davis, Lexie Levesque, Kaylee McCabe, Matthew McCabe, Steven Diller and Michael Diller; and three great grandchildren, Pyre Sepulveda, Gabriel Green, and Joslyn Green.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don’s honor to the local Bonners Ferry 4-H program or to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org or 30 E. 33rd St., New York, NY 10016.