Eldon Alexander

Eldon Alexander, 78, of Lusk, passed away peacefully March 17, 2021 at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper with family by his side. Eldon was born March 21, 1942 in Lusk to Alvin and Doris (Lindley) Alexander. Eldon grew up on the family farm in Manville, and attended elementary and middle school as a proud Manville Panther before transferring and graduating from Niobrara County High School as a Lusk Tiger in 1960. After high school, Eldon attended Chadron State College for two years where he met his wife, Sonja Burk. In 1963, Eldon and Sonja married at the young ages of 21 and 18 and moved to Sheridan to start their life. Eldon started with the Wyoming Highway Patrol at the Port of Entry in 1966. Through this experience, Eldon developed an appreciation for the importance of law enforcement. He enrolled in the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy and after completion of the Academy he became a Wyoming State Trooper and was transferred to Lander. It is in Fremont County that Eldon and Sonja welcomed two children, Heidi and Jason, into their family.

In 1972, Eldon was transferred to Lusk to be closer to family and was able to help Alvin and Doris on the family farm. It was here that he and Sonja raised their family, a place that remained his home the rest of his life.

Eldon continued serving the State of Wyoming and Niobrara County in the honored position of State Trooper for 25 consecutive years. In 1991, Eldon retired from the State Patrol and was elected to the position of the 12th Sheriff of Niobrara County. In this position, he restructured the old jail facility to begin holding inmates from other counties and federal law enforcement, which helped build revenue that eventually resulted in a new jailing facility in Lusk for Niobrara and surrounding counties. After completion of the new facility, Eldon served until 1999 when he retired his badge.

In retirement, he and Sonja moved to the family farm in Manville and traveled to see children and grandchildren in Colorado and Nebraska. Upon Sonja's passing in 2011, he found a lifetime friend in Beth Gilbert, who he spent numerous hours on the road with traveling to casinos and enjoying each other's company. In retirement, Eldon enjoyed spending time tinkering on the farm, helping neighbors as much as possible, taking care of family members and watching his grandchildren compete in their various events.

Eldon is remembered for his humble, compassionate spirit of generosity and love for his community and family. He enjoyed fishing, and hunting when time allowed. He loved giving back in honor of the greater good, as a 32-year member of the Elks Organization, and always available to lend an ear to a friend, while never complaining about anything other than politics. A classic lover of old western movies and a passion for the years of a simpler life, he chose to relish in the days of yesteryear.

He is preceded in death by his parents Doris and Alvin Alexander, and numerous Aunts and Uncles. He is survived by his life partner Beth Gilbert of the past 9 years, daughter Heidi Alexander (Jack) of Aurora, Colo., son Jason Alexander of Beatrice, Neb., grandchildren Megan (Sage), Heather (Gilbert), Andi, Kaden, Morgan and Jackson and his sisters Carol of Torrington, and Billie of Salt Lake City, Utah. He will be missed by countless nieces, nephews and cousins and of course by his family of friends and neighbors of Lusk/Manville.

Funeral services will be held in Lusk March 22, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with Pastor Tom Strock officiating. A cake and coffee reception will follow at the 3 Sisters Restaurant in Manville. Memorials may be made to either The Lusk Elks Lodge No. 1797 for their scholarship fund or to the Niobrara County Sheriff''s Department.

Pier Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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