Duane Gilbert Alexander

Served in Korea-1951-1954.

DUANE G ALEXANDER 07 Apr 1933 22 Jun 2009 (V) 98240 (Custer, Whatcom, WA) (none specified) 569-38-9357 California

Duane G. Alexander

Duane Gilbert Alexander, of Custer, Washington, passed away Monday, June 22, 2009. He was 76 years old. Duane was energetic, full of life, and adventurous. He served as a Navy Corpsman in the Korean War, was a thirty year resident of Alaska, and retired to Washington State in 2005. He loved Alaska, golfing, fishing, traveling, baking, and cooking. Duane will be greatly missed by his wife of 33 years, Claudia Alexander, son, Tony Perea; god-son, Patrick Teich; nieces, Sandy, Jan, Sue, Kathy, and Patti; his life-long friends, Donna and Clyde Laws, Yvonne Rudd, and Karen and Terry Teich; and his many friends and neighbors. A private family service is being planned for a later date.

Moles Family Funeral Homes & Crematory-Lynden

Published in Bellingham Herald on June 28, 2009

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Duane and his brother were born to Alma Fritz and Elbert Alexander. Their parents divorced when Duane was young. His father worked on ships as a stevedor and the boys were living for a time with an uncle in New York. Their father was killed in an accident at sea and they were taken to live with their mother and step father in San Francisco. Both boys entered the service and married. Duane divorced Mary Ellen after having 3 children. He remarried Claudia Philo.

Duane worked as a cook on a ship. He was injured by chemical burn from amonium hydroxide used to clean burners. He went to Alaska to work on the Alcan highway, had a serious heart attack and returned to live in Washington State. He and Claudia raised Tony as their son and lived 35 years together. He was cremated and Claudia keeps his ashes at their home.