Willard Alexander Lathers

Willard Alexander "Alex" Lathers, 84, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on June 10, 2025 in Alexandria.
Alex was born December 5, 1940 to Willard Lathers and Janet Stewart Lathers. He grew up in Phillipsburg, PA. After two semesters of college, Alex joined the US Navy for 4 years as a cryptology equipment repairman. He went to bootcamp at Great Lakes, IL, then stationed in Guam. He moved back to Pennsylvania and went to college 70 miles away at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he earned a bachelor's degree in history and maybe more importantly, where he met his future wife, Donna. Donna was from his high school, was a year younger and a popular cheerleader. He was hooked. He spent time in Florida earning a second degree in Latin American studies.
He married Donna Pleskonko in 1970, and they moved to Washington, DC and settled in their beloved Parkfairfax. They would spend almost 45 years there together, walking the loop and chatting with neighbors on a daily basis. They loved cats and were known to adopt those in need. They regularly attended the Beverley Hills United Methodist Church.
He started his federal civilian career in 1970 with the Civil Service Commission then worked as a civilian human resources specialist with the Department of the Navy at the Washington Navy Yard.
He was actively involved in the Parkfairfax Landscape Committee and was well known for his knowledge of plants and gardening. He spent his summers tending to not only his yard, but the neighboring areas, and a small community plot where he had a vegetable garden.
Alex is preceded in death by his wife, Donna. He is survived by his nephews, John and Bradley Granlun and niece, Laura Lukens.
Memorials may be given to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (https://www.awla.org).
Special thanks to the staff at Silverado Memory Care in Alexandria who provided family-like care for Alex over the last 4 years.
A celebration of life is being planned for the near future in Parkfairfax.