Donald Alford

Donald Lee Alford (Nov. 1, 1934-Jan. 26, 2016) Donald (Don) Lee Alford passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at the age of 81 at his residence in Katy, Texas. He was born on November 1, 1934 in Ryan, Oklahoma to Athel and Inez Alford. After graduating from Duncan High School and Oklahoma State University, Don worked for Halliburton for twenty years as an oilfield engineer/salesman. He went on to work for a handful of oilfield companies and thoroughly enjoyed his travels. Don served in the Army and National Guard and as a young man was very active in the civic club called the Jaycees. In the early 1980's Don exited corporate life and he and Cyndi moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama where they opened a marina on the beach and spent their days entertaining vacationers and tourists and golfing in the winter months. Don enjoyed the social interaction every day, loved telling his stories and learning about people's lives. After selling the marinas in 2003, he moved to Texas where he spent the last 13 years. Don is preceded in death by both his parents and his wife, Cyndi Simon Alford. He is survived by three daughters and one son-in-law, Donette (Mark) Bisett, Andrea Alford and Araina Alford, and three granddaughters, Katlyn Curry, Ashley Hall and Baylee Alford. Don was an only child, but made three life-long friends that he definitely called brothers (Dick Stark of Texarkana, Texas, Don Wolf of Lafayette, Louisiana and Matt Bickers of Orange Beach, Alabama. Collectively, the four of them shared over 150 years of friendship. Don was supportive of the medical research efforts working to find a cure for cancer and he supported the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. The family would greatly appreciate a donation in his honor.