It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Gilbert “Pete” Washington Fletcher Jr, who left this world on September 21st, 2021. Pete worked as a machinist for 60 years from the age of 17 until he retired in 2017. He loved to hunt and fish and build things with his own hands. If he could think it up, he could build it out of metal or wood. He was a knowledgeable and talented man that knew a little bit about everything. There was never a problem he couldn’t fix and the words “It can’t be done” were not in his vocabulary. Pete also loved U.S history from our Founding Fathers, to the Civil War, to World Wars I and II. He was a Patriot who always had a flag flying in the front yard and was proud of the Fletcher lineage from the Alexandria area. When Pete wasn’t working or building things, he was cooking for all his buddies at the shop on Thursday nights after work, or on the weekends at the hunting lodge. He was always surrounded by a great group of friends and family.

Pete married Charlotte in 1968 and although they divorced, they remained very close throughout his life. Their daughters were his world and everything he did was for them. He was a quiet and kind father who never raised his voice, always taught by example, and made sure life was always fun. He was always teaching them to be the best version of themselves and to help other people along the way. He passed on his Patriotism, his love for creating things, his quick wit, and his story telling ability. He taught them that you can achieve anything with hard work and a little creativity. This amazing man will be missed by many, but none will miss him more than his daughters.

Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Geneva Fletcher, a younger brother, Gordon Fletcher, and two younger sisters, Glenda King, and Gayle Wolfford. He leaves behind two daughters, Shenan Fletcher and Sheree Artes, along with two grandsons Aiden and Tyler Artes, a step-daughter, Debbie Minney, a grandson Jesse Lamouroux and granddaughter Jennifer Peters.

Like the man he was, a humble and informal service will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 11am at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home followed by graveside services at 1pm at Mount Comfort Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held from 2-5pm at the Union Street Public House in Alexandria to honor a great man that touched the souls of everyone he met.

“The ones that love us, never truly leave us.”

Offer Condolence for the family of Gilbert “Pete” Washington Fletcher Jr