Alan Don Alexander, 81, of Ada, MI, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, August 25, 2018, at his home surrounded by family. Al was born in Pontiac on September 15, 1936, to Edward and Jessie Alexander. He lived in the Grand Rapids area since 1975. Al attended Farmington High School, Class 1954, and went on to graduate from Hillsdale College in 1958. After graduating, Al briefly served in the Army before moving to Royal Oak and getting his start in the insurance business. It was a perfect fit for someone of his honesty, integrity and affable nature. In 1992, Al received the prestigious DI Diamond Award from his company, Provident Life & Accident, the highest honor given to Provident’s Disability Operations Department Branch Managers. He worked for Provident for 38 years before retiring in 1999. Al was also a member of Cascade Christian Church for many years where he served as a deacon. In recent years, Al loved golfing with his sons and friends, driving family and friends on his pontoon boat on Hamlin Lake in Ludington, watching Notre Dame football, doing crossword puzzles and reading spy novels, in no particular order. Al was known for being amazingly good-natured and was always quick to smile (and maybe even wink) while telling jokes, singing songs or giving nicknames to all of his friends. Above all else, Al was an incredibly loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Chrystyna; children, Darcy (Gregory) Fulcher, Kelly (Brian) Whitley, Michael (Angela), and Bill (Susan) Alexander; his ten grandchildren, Tomer, Bethie, Peyton, Cooper, Karsten, Fletcher, Lilah, Kendall, Vivienne, and Clara; sister-in-law, Ruby Alexander; nieces, Laurie Alexander, Amy Agin and Sue May (daughters of Al’s brother, Richard). Alan was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard (“Dick”) Alexander. A celebration of Al’s life will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, September 30 at Cascade Christian Church, 2829 Thornapple River Dr SE, Grand Rapids. Memorial donations may be made in Al’s name to Spectrum Health Hospice, 750 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or at spectrumhealthfoundation.org/tributegiving. Please feel free to post stories, memories and photos of your great times spent with Al on MLive or at gerstfuneralhomes.com guestbooks.
