On January 31, 2024, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, DONALD RAYMOND ALKIRE, age 71, left this world and joined his father, Wesley; brother, David, and first granddaughter, Leila, in heaven.  "Don" was born in El Paso, Texas to Eula Mae and Wesley Alkire on April 23, 1952. He graduated from Austin High School in 1970 and attended college at UTEP in El Paso. He worked at Asarco in El Paso for 23 years until it closed, and in 2000 he became a full-time truck driver for Swift Transportation, where he worked for the next 24 years.  Don's last award was for becoming a two-million-mile driver.

In 1984 he married Leigh Stockly, and became the proud stepfather of Brooke Rappe, who was then eight years old.  In 1987, Don and Leigh welcomed baby Christina Dawn, and the family was complete.  An additional joy to Don's life was the birth of his second granddaughter, Lainey Alexandria, in 2013.  They became and remained the best of friends.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Leigh Alkire; daughters, Brooke Simpson (William), Christina Terrazas (Christopher), Lainey Terrazas, his granddaughter; his mother, Eula Mae Alkire, his brother, Jimmy Alkire (Virginia), and many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his brother, David, father, Wesley, and granddaughter, Leila.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6 PM Friday, February 9, 2024, at Baca's Funeral Chapel, 300 E. Butz Road, Las Cruces, NM.

Live stream will begin at 5:55 PM Friday, February 9, 2024, at www.bacastream.com as licensed by the National Funeral Directors Association.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com