Leslie David Alderman Jr

On March 16th, 2023 Leslie David Alderman Jr took his final flight on the wings of angels, surrounded by his family and wrapped in the love of many, many friends at his home in Sapphire, NC.

Les, the son of the late Leslie and Gloria Alderman, grew up in a farming and ranching family in  Wimauma, Florida with 7 brothers and sisters. He attended The University of Florida where he obtained a degree in agriculture, and he received an MBA from Central Michigan University. He  proudly served as a pilot for 20 years in the US Air Force in both the United States, Vietnam, and England where he met and married his “child bride” Janice, who he was married to for 43 years. He was a loving father to 4 children. Les briefly flew commercial jets before returning to his roots and joining Coca Cola in citrus production. After several years with Earthmark managing groves and establishing wetlands mitigation banks, he struck out with his brother Jimmy Alderman and formed the first Florida Panther Conservation Bank in the state of Florida. An environmental entrepreneur, he finally returned to his ranching roots; always a cowboy at heart, he created the Alderman Cattle Company.

His greatest joys in life were laughing with family and friends, sharing life lessons, and entertaining with his signature cocktails. He was a passionate supporter of Special Olympics, and he loved to travel, garden, cook, build boats, and play tennis.
A kinder, more generous and compassionate man would be hard to find. He truly left his corner of the world a better place. He was a gentleman and a scholar known throughout the free world.

In his memory donations are welcome to: the Glioblastoma Foundation, www.glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate. Funeral Service Wednesday, March 29th, 2023 at Our Lady of Light, 19680 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers, Fl. Visitation at church 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. followed by service at 11:00. Burial at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens.