Gary M. Alexander, age 76 of Denver, Colorado, died suddenly on Father’s Day, June 16, 2019 at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado due to complications following a stroke.
Gary Manley Alexander was born on September 14, 1942 in Willow Springs, Howell County, Missouri, the oldest child of Leonard and Betty Lorine (Farrar) Alexander. He was named after his grandfather, Manley Farrar. Gary grew up in the Cabool, Missouri area where he attended grade school, and later moved with his parents and siblings to the Springfield, Missouri area where he continued his education and graduated from high school in 1960.
On September 16, 1960, Gary was united in marriage to Mary Jane (“Janie”) Sutton Wilhite in Spokane, Christian County, Missouri by Thomas J. Bilyeu, Justice of the Peace. This union was blessed with the birth of one son, Gary Thomas Alexander. Shortly thereafter, the entire Alexander family moved to Jefferson, Iowa.
On July 1, 1967, Gary was united in marriage to Linda Kay Belt in Howell County, Missouri. This union was blessed with the birth of one daughter, Shawn Marie Alexander.
On August 10, 1967, Gary was inducted into the U.S. Army and served his country for two years during the Vietnam War. He was Honorably Discharged on August 9, 1969.
Gary spent many years working as a truck driver, traveling the country, and living in numerous locations, including Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Colorado. During the 1980's, Gary bought and managed the historic Gilpin Hotel in Black Hawk, Colorado; and the Chicago Pizzeria in Central City, Colorado. After selling the hotel and pizzeria, Gary continued his adventure by moving to Florida for a short time, but quickly realized that his only true love was the mountains of Colorado. Gary thoroughly enjoyed the great outdoors, going hunting and fishing, and living in a cabin in the woods.
As Gary got older and started having more health problems, his family tried to get him to move closer to them. Gary refused to leave Colorado though, and he spent the rest of his life in the Denver area so he could be near the mountains that he loved so much.
Gary is survived by his son, Gary Thomas (“Tommy”) Alexander of Carthage, Missouri; his daughter, Shawn (Alexander) Potter of Mountain Home, Arkansas; his sister, Donna Wolf and husband Don of Farnhamville, Iowa; his brother, Randy Alexander and wife Kathy of Fort Myers, Florida; his brother-in-law, Eddie Mitchell of Ottumwa, Iowa; his sister-in-law, Diana Alexander of Bellevue, Nebraska; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Betty Alexander; his two brothers, Mike Alexander and Greg Alexander; and his sister, Sue Mitchell.
Gary’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes scattered from the top of the mountains near Central City, Colorado.
Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
