Doug was born on November 22, 1954 in Coldwater, MI, the son of Benson S. Alexander and Iola M. Pierce. Doug moved from Port Huron, MI to Bloomington, MN in about 1967. He married Shelly L. Tindal in Minneapolis, MN on September 26, 1980. He moved to Mounds View in 1986, where he lived with Shelly and raised his three sons until 2014.
Doug attended Bloomington Jefferson High School, but he dropped out to join the Army in 1972. He trained as a mechanic in the US and in 1974 was stationed in Schwabach, Germany, where he graduated from Nuremberg-American High School. In 1977 Doug transferred back to the US and was assigned to the 1st Medical Battalion in Fort Riley, KS until he completed his enlistment in 1978. In 1983 he became a member of MN Army Nat’l Guard and that same year was hired into the Federal Technician Program in New Brighton. He held many maintenance and leadership positions to include First Sergeant, culminating his enlisted career as a Master Sergeant and acting Command Sergeant Major for the 2/147 Aviation Battalion. In 2001 he received an appointment as a WO1 Maintenance Technician. In 2006 Doug was selected as the Sr. Maintenance Technician for the 1/34 Brigade Combat Team “Red Bulls,” deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006-08, which is on record as the longest deployment in history. For over a decade, he was instrumental in the design and layout of the Nat’l Guard’s largest Field Maintenance Shop in the nation located in New Brighton, MN. CW4 Alexander distinguished himself over his career as an extraordinarily competent and driven leader with professional standards that are unequaled. He is known by all as the State’s subject matter expert on all things related to maintenance. Doug had held every key maintenance developmental position at the company, battalion, brigade and division. Although he had numerous accomplishments during his career, he was most proud of earning “The Legion of Merit,” which is a testament to what an incredible soldier he was. – “His long-standing devotion to duty, commitment, competence, and leadership underscores his selfless service, and his actions will continue to manifest in the Soldiers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Officers he has mentored and developed in the MN Army Nat’l Guard.” CW4 Alexander retired in July 2014. He was proud to have served a total of 42 years for his country.
Doug took Night College at Metro State University. He was proud of his Scottish heritage. He started tracing his family tree in high school and he actively traced it right up until his death. He loved to travel, and he traveled the world. He loved spending time with his grandbabies and couldn’t wait for their next visit to NV. He loved talking about his time in the military, drinking beer with his new NV friends and he always looked forward to visitors from MN. Politically he was a Republican and in faith was Episcopalian. He was a mentor to many and loved by many more. He had a kind heart and was an honorable man.
Doug is survived by his Wife, Shelly; Three Sons, Duane (Jill) Herrald, Nicholas (Amy) Herrald and Christopher Alexander; Six Beloved Grandchildren, Gabriel, Grace, Alexander, Gwendolyn, Oliver and Isaac all of Minneapolis; his Mother, Lola of Las Vegas; One Brother, Scott of Minneapolis; Three Sisters, Cynde (Thomas) Aydt, of Fort Mohave, AZ, Sarah (Charles) Fletcher of Merida, MX and Kathy (David) Peterson of Minneapolis. He is also survived by his Mother-in-law, Leola Tindal of Lakeville, Brothers and Sisters in-law, Nieces and Nephews, Many Friends and his Military Family. He was preceded in death by his Father in 2009.
A Celebration of Doug's Life will take place on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 2:00PM with gathering of family & friends from 12NOON-2PM at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids. Interment will take place at Morningside Memorial Gardens.
