Alphie Fulton
Alpha Lee Fulton, age 70, the son of Clyde Orville and Mary Ellen (Owen) Fulton, was born February 10, 1954, at Leon, Iowa. He left this life on April 9, 2024, at his Leon, Iowa home.
Alphie, as he was known, grew up and attended school in Lamoni, Iowa. He graduated from Lamoni High School with the Class of 1973. He continued his formal education at Indian Hills Community College before transferring to Graceland College, graduating in 1978. While in high school Alphie played football, basketball, and ran track and in college only played football. He was a decorated athlete; he and his football teams were inducted into the Hall of Fame. And he was voted two time, All American, while at Graceland.
On August 31, 1974, Alphie was united in marriage to Kathleen Ann Pierson. They had 49 years of marriage and were looking forward to their 50th anniversary in a few months. Together they raised their four children, Christy, Jay, Matt, and Amanda.
Alphie’s first teaching job took the family to Villisca, Iowa. He started teaching third and fourth grades then only third. In addition to teaching, Alphie was the high school football coach and girls basketball and softball coach. Due to failing health, Alphie retired after 20 years. During this time, he and Kathy also owned and operated a restaurant and motel. In 2003, they moved to Leon, Iowa.
Alphie loved to watch his kids and grandkids play sports. He was an avid Pitch and Poker card player and also enjoyed Cribbage. Family and his friends were very important to him and he loved spending time with all of them. He always said after each school year, he just added 20-25 more members to his family. Alphie was active in Decatur County Democratic politics and served as County Chair for many years.
Preceding him in death were his parents; parents-in-law, Edgar & Ida Pierson; brother, Jimmie Fulton; brothers-in-law, Dale Short, Junior Pierson, Alfred Pierson, Curtis Pierson, and Roy Smith; and Uncle Leck and Aunt Maddie Dunham. Survivors include his wife, Kathy Fulton of Leon; children, Christy & Todd Miller of Urbandale, Iowa, Jay & Mylissa Fulton of Leon, Matt Fulton of Springfield, Nebraska, and Amanda & Matt Woodruff of Urbandale; grandchildren, Owen Miller, Ethan Miller, Dessirea Fulton & companion, Peter King, Matthew Fulton, Emily Fulton, Dharma Woodruff, Hayden Woodruff, and Bronson Woodruff; great grandchildren, Nevaeh McBride, Kaspian King, and Ryker King; sister, Susie Short of Decatur, Iowa; brother, Terry Fulton of Lamoni & friend, Reese Nary; sisters-in-law, Sheila Caldwell of Lamoni, Betty Smith of Leon, Joann Pierson of Bedford, Iowa, Lucy & Gary Newton of Atlantic, Iowa and Judy Eakes of Leon; brother-in-law, Gene & Loretta Pierson of Garden Grove, Iowa; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and many, many friends.
A memorial celebration of life service will be held at the Leon Golf & Country Club in Leon, Iowa at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024. Arrangements were through the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa.
