Charles Oliver Alexander

FARMINGTON – Charles Oliver Alexander, 104, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2022 at his home. Charles was born February 19, 1918 in Farmersville, Texas to Sam and Lelia Alexander.

Charles is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kathleen Alexander, daughter, Virginia E. Fisher, son-in-laws, Cecil Fisher, Ron Stailey, parents, Sam and Lelia Alexander, brother, Wayne Alexander and his wife Juanita, many in-laws on the Massey side as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews on the Alexander side.

Charles is survived by his daughter, Wanda L. Stailey, son, Huel G. Alexander, grandchildren, Shari R. Floyd, Thomas Karl Stailey, 5 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren with one baby on the way. On the Massey side Charles is survived by his in-laws, EY Massey and Kay Massey, many nieces and nephews.

When Charles was two years old, he caught the Spanish Flu as did his mother and millions of others. He nearly died from the flu. Thankfully he did recover. The flu crossed his eyes and damaged his hearing for life.

In his teens Charles and his parents suffered through the Dust Bowl. They lost all their livestock and means of making a living as Farmers. They had to leave their home and traveled to California as well as Oregon and Washington, picking fruit for their living. In his late teens Charles left California and returned to Estancia, N.M. to finish his last two years of High School. While there he met and dated Mary Massey.

During the Great Depression he returned to California to pick fruit with his parents. He and Mary corresponded by mail. In 1940, he and Mary got married in Reno, Nevada. They both picked fruit for a while with Charles parents.

World War II had started. Charles had gotten a job as Foreman over the Sheet Metal workers on the Liberty Ships. Mary gave birth to two daughters, Virginia and Wanda, during the War. After the War Charles and Mary moved to Arizona for a couple of years where they owed a nice piece of land, raised a few animals and crops. His parents needed his help in New Mexico, so they packed up and moved to Mountainair, then to Albuquerque, where their son Huel was born, and couple owned and Laundry.

In 1952 the Alexander family moved to Farmington, N.M. Charles found work at Ford Motor Co. In 1954 he started working for El Paso Natural Gas Co. as a Diesel Mechanic on the night shift in Aztec. On his way home from work one night a drunk crossed the yellow line hitting Charles vehicle head on. His vehicle was totaled, and Charles was taken to the Hospital in Farmington. He was badly injured with broken: ribs, collar bone, nose, jaw, 2 busted knees, and a few missing teeth.

Many months later Charles returned home. He was not able to return to work. So, for therapy he began building a Mobile Home Park on the two acres of land he had bought in 1952. Over the next 25 years Charles gradually built The Alexander Mobile Home Park. He and his wife, Mary, owned and managed this Park for the next 60 years. Charles and Mary also bought and sold the Auburn Trailer Park, in Farmington.

Charles also went back to work as a mechanic for El Paso Natural Gas. After working for them for 25 years he retired in 1979. Before Mary's death in 2018 the couple had celebrated their 85th Anniversary.

Charles went by several different names. Some called him Oliver, some called him C.O., or Charlie, others called him Alex. But no matter what he was called they all had deep respect for him. They also loved his stories about the history of his life, his hilarious jokes, his kindness, and willingness to help others.

Charles loved to go boating and fishing with his buddies at Navajo Lake and Lake Powell.

People respected and loved Charles because he respected them; he was selfless, and caring about other people and their needs.
Charles helped many people throughout his life. He was an AMAZING person. We will all miss him terribly.