- Date Of Death: May 19, 2019
- State: Idaho
Darnel Lenzy Alexander, or “DL”, was born on October 2, 1932 in Atkins, Arkansas, the second of five children (James, William, Jessie Earl) to Monroe and Jessie Alexander. Farm chores, hound hunting, and school kept him busy until the 8th grade when he concluded that “a brain had only so much room for learning.” Summers were spent exploring the country.
At age 18, he enlisted in the Air Force.
DL and his oldest brother (James) joined McWaters Construction in Pheonix to learn the guardrail trade. Four years later, DL’s failed attempt to purchase Bill’s company sent him looking for greener pastures. Idaho looked good, and so with a new partner, Leroy Samuelson, he prospered, and so did his love for fishing and hunting in Idaho. Sam’s health detriorated and the company was disbanded. This gave DL the opportunity to start his own company, so he partnered with his older brother (James) and later his son and his youngest brother (Jessie Earl), staying in Idaho.
He fully retired from construction in 1987, giving him a chance to fish, hunt, and work in wood crafting full time. After his wife’s passing in 2002, he continued his hobbies as long as his body allowed him, but he eventually relented to all but woodcrafts. Down to his last days, his love of woodcraft and family kept him engaged and sharp.
He lived his life, and passed from it, on his own terms.
