Carl LeGrand, 71

Carl Dow LeGrand, 71, died Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at his home in Alexandria.

Carl was born December 10, 1940 in Hanson, Kentucky to Leaston and Rosalie (Griffin) LeGrand. He was baptized at the Hanson Baptist Church in Hanson. Carl graduated from high school in Hanson, where he loved to play basketball for the Hanson Hunters. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he was on the helicopter crash rescue team.

Carl was stationed at the Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD. While there, he met Darlene Gorwill and they were united in marriage in December of 1962 in Belle Fourche, SD. Carl was sent overseas, was stationed in Guam, and served two tours during the Vietnam War.

After being honorably discharged, the family lived in Belle Fourche, SD and then moved back to Carl’s hometown of Hanson, Kentucky. The family then moved back to Belle Fourche, where he started working as a police officer. Carl then started the ambulance service and the oval and drag racing tracks.

The family then moved to Buffalo, Wyoming where he continued working as a police officer, before moving to Williston, North Dakota to work the oil fields. In 1982, Carl and Darlene were divorced. Carl moved to Hawaii and then to Fort Meyers, Florida where he met MaryAnn Cuff. They were united in marriage on May 4, 1985. Carl worked as a deputy sheriff for the Lee County Sheriff’s Department. Carl retired from law enforcement in 1996, when he became a caregiver for MaryAnn. The couple moved to South Carolina in 1998 and then to Alexandria in 2004.

Carl enjoyed fishing, hunting, music, Nascar, basketball, football, loved driving and going on trips and camping. He was very active in his community and enjoyed being a jokester.

He is survived by his daughters, Darlya Johnson of Alexandria, Carlya (Ross) Lee of Alexandria, Stacy (Dave) Magbee of Snowcamp, NC; and son, Curt (Amanda) LeGrand, Snowcamp, NC; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; brother, George LeGrand of Baltimore, MD; and sister, Glenda Gonzales of Madisonville, KY; and many nieces and nephews.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Leaston and Rosalie, wives, Darlene and MaryAnn; sister, Janice Cartwright; and grandson, Weston Counts.

A memorial service was held Monday, July 9 at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with the Rev. Cindy Lou Schmidt officiating. Music was provided by Chuck and Michelle Wencl. Military honors were provided by the Alexandria American Legion Post 87, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 and the Minnesota National Honor Guard. Urn bearers were Carl’s grandchildren, Tom Price, Jeremy Price, Justin Nuzum, Karmen Lemm, Nic Lemm, Jesse LeGrand and Ryan Lee. Honorary urn bearers were Michael Pernell, Taylor LeGrand, Danny LeGrand and Leaston LeGrand.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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