Jeffrey Howard Banfield Alexander

Jeffrey Howard Banfield Alexander, 36, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2016, at the University of Utah Burn Center after a house explosion in Glasgow, Mont., Friday, June 10, 2016.

He was born to Charlene Alexander and Howard Banfield Jan. 12, 1980, in Marion, Ohio. He joined the Army as an infantryman and deployed with the 172nd Stryker Brigade to Mosul, Iraq.

He married Stephanie on R&R during deployment and was then extended and sent to Baghdad for four more months. After their first child was born, he joined the Navy as a cryptologic technician. He deployed to the Pacific and was on the USS Ronald Reagan during the Fukushima disaster, Operation Tomodachi. He was honorably discharged in 2014.

In 2015, he began working for the National Weather Service as a technician. He enjoyed his work and was looking forward to life at home with family and settling down.

He was a patient, loving, and playful soul. He was kind and devoted to his family and friends. He was a unique and selfless man who brightened up the lives around him. He understood what was important in life.

He was preceded in death by Tom Alexander, his beloved and equally kind stepdad who he loved as his father.

Survivors include his wife, Stephanie; two young children, William and Jack; his mother, Charlene; and seven siblings, TJ, Kathy, Rich, Heather, Ben, Joe and Tim.

A memorial service was held in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Oct. 14, 2016.