Alfred R Denmark

Alfred “Al” Denmark, age 75, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, eight months after the death of his beloved wife Jane. Long-time residents of Bay Minette, Alabama, Al and Jane left their treasured home in Pine Grove in recent years to live closer to their children and grandchildren in the Atlanta area. They spent a few months short of fifty years in loving marriage.

Al divided his childhood between Miami, Florida with his mother and Mobile, Alabama, where he lived with his father and adored paternal grandparents Dennis and Omer. He spent much of his younger years in and on the water, setting records through his high school swim team and passing countless hours boating, skiing, and fishing the waters of the Gulf Coast. After obtaining his pilot license, he shared this love by flying friends and family over Mobile Bay.

Upon graduating from the University of South Alabama, Al worked as a civil engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Through his job, Al and Jane had the opportunity to move to Germany in the 1970s, and they lived there again with their children Sean and Emilie from 1988 to 1990. Al was committed to their seeing as much of Europe as possible. During their second time abroad, many weekends and holidays were spent driving his family in their trusty VW camper “Jack Sputters” to destinations like Paris, London, Rome, Legoland in Denmark, Amsterdam, Switzerland, and Normandy. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Al loaded up his tools and family to travel to Berlin. For years thereafter, he and Jane gave pieces of the Wall as gifts to friends.

Much of his life was focused on educating young people. For many years, Al helped lead children’s church in Assemblies of God churches. He gave life to two cherished puppets, Sir Something and the monkey, and taught teenagers how to puppeteer. The family dinner table was enlivened by challenging questions like “What is art?” Inspired by and supportive of his wife’s return to school to earn a master’s degree in science education, Al did the same, marveling at the wonders of the natural world he studied. Upon retiring from engineering, he joined Jane in teaching at Baldwin County High School.

After Al’s and Jane’s retirement from teaching, they endeavored to travel as much as possible: a cruise to Alaska, returns to Paris and the Grand Canyon, visits to their son in New York City and road trips with him to Maine and around the Southeast, and frequent jaunts to Atlanta to see their daughter and precious grandchildren. It was a delight for them to host a week-long “Camp Denmark” in Bay Minette for their grandson Elliott, later adding granddaughter Lily to the annual event.

Al was a faithful caregiver, watching after his younger half-brothers in childhood and both of his parents in their latter years. When his wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, he and Jane focused on educating others about the illness. He cared for her, often around the clock, throughout her life.

While Al was by nature stoic, watching the antics of his grandchildren gave him joy, as did reminiscing about his travels. He delighted in learning and in seeing his loved ones flourish. Devotion to his family was his driving force. Most recently a member of First Methodist Church of Bay Minette, he quietly strove to emulate Christ’s love in his own life.

Al is survived by two children, Sean Denmark and Emilie Denmark; two grandchildren, Elliott and Lily Darden; an honorary sister, Denise Denmark Burton (Floyd); and his beloved extended family and in-laws. He is preceded in death by his wife Jane Earls Denmark, his father Nathan “Earl” Denmark, his mother Betty Evans Ferguson, his half-brother James Denmark, and his half-brother Jim Ferguson.

A memorial service will be held on March 8, 2024 at 10:30am. Should friends wish to honor his life, the family gratefully suggests a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation in memory of his work towards improving the lives not only of his wife, but all who suffer from this disease.