Dr. Larry Charles Alexander, 70, of Fort Myers, Florida, died on Sunday, February 4, 2024, under hospice care at his home after valiantly battling health issues for many years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, 143 Seminole Circle, Fairfield, Alabama. For those unable to attend, a virtual memorial service will be held at a later date, tentatively scheduled for 11:00 am Saturday, March 9, 2024.

Larry Charles Alexander was born to Samuel and Annie Ruth Alexander in Fairfield, Alabama.  He received his formative education in the Birmingham City School District. Larry attended Wilkerson Elementary School, Council Elementary School and Western-Olin High School. It was apparent at a young age that he was extremely intelligent as he skipped the fourth grade. While at Western-Olin High School, Larry had an opportunity to participate with the inaugural class of A Better Chance Program in Appleton, Wisconsin. Larry was a 1970 graduate of Appleton West High School. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Biology at Northwestern University, class of 1974, Doctor of Medicine at Southern Illinois School of Medicine, class of 1981, Internal Medicine Internship at the University of Alabama, class of 1981-1982, Pathology Residency at Southern Illinois University, 1982-1986, and Anatomical Pathology Fellowship at Southern Illinois University, 1986-1987.

Larry had a successful career as a Pathologist and Medical Director at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He worked with the same lifelong, cherished friends for twenty years. He also served as a consultant to the South Dakota State Lab in Pierre, South Dakota.

To unwind, Larry turned to music. He would listen to his record collection and fill the house with his singing. He eventually took his passion for music public through his Karaoke business, Black Magic. His most memorable event was when he hosted the South Dakota State Special Olympics Dance. He was a lifelong collector of Coca-cola memorabilia and would never turn down a good game of Monopoly. Even in his final weeks, he took the opportunity to educate about the game of chess.

Following a heart transplant in 2009, Larry and Kelly relocated to Florida. He enjoyed being Poppy to his grandchildren and celebrating family events. Larry valued the special bond he had with Janell Anderson, the mother of his heart donor.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Kelly (Ostrom) Alexander; children, Dr. Nikita (Darvin) Patterson, Jason Alexander, Jonathan (Allison) Alexander, Dr. Rachel (Bridger) Craig, Clinton Ostrom, Cameryn (Aaron) Friesz, Cassius (Jessica) Christion, Caitlin (Jairo) Garcia; grandchildren, Kai and Aaron Patterson, Evelyn and Ella Alexander, Violet Craig, Christion, Oliver, and Liam Ostrom, Alexis and Amya Friesz, Keya Johnson, Zoey Christion, Julissa Pallofax, Vanessa Puerta, Julian and Zaiden Garcia; great-grandson, Santino Pallofax; siblings, Barbara Gibbs, Loretta (Robert) Williams, and Michael Alexander; his Aunt Viola Sanders; Sisters in-law, Kathy (Terry) Nelson, Kristy (Dr. Jim) Butcher, Kerry Ostrom, Kammy (Carter) Krumbach; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Annie Ruth Alexander; siblings, Elbert Thomas, Doris Henderson, Betty Crowell, Samuel Alexander and Ella Dawkins; brothers-in-law, Henry Gibbs, Jr., Earnest Gilbert, and Patrick Dawkins; Father in-law, Donald Ostrom; Mother in-law, Roana Ostrom; and granddaughter Calixidy Christion.

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