Jackie Alexander Bieniek
Feb. 26, 1992 – Sept. 21, 2018

Alex went home to be with his Savior on Friday, Sept. 21, after a three year-long fight with MDS and leukemia. He was 26 years old at the time of his death.

Alex was born in Arcata on February 26, 1992. Alex was an active, social child who participated in Little League, Boy Scouts, AWANA’s and attended Blue Slide Camp every year, even continuing to attend into adulthood as camp staff. As a youth, Alex attended Toddy Thomas Middle School where he competed in track and field and was on the basketball team. Alex graduated from Fortuna High School in 2010. While in high school, he was on the football team, ran track and field, played the drums in band, and worked as a peer mediator. Alex was heavily involved in youth group, including playing drums for the youth worship team. Alex was part of the youth group leadership team after graduation and played drums with the worship team at Lifehouse Church in Fortuna.

Alex paid his way through the police academy by working a variety of jobs, including a food sampler and a cell phone salesman at Costco and at Bob’s Foot Longs. Alex attended College of the Redwoods Law Enforcement Training Center and graduated in 2015. Alex spent two years working security jobs in the Eureka and Fortuna area. Alex’s dream was to beat cancer and start his own security company.

Alex was a fan of the Indianapolis Colts, loved playing video games, and played Dungeons and Dragons every week with friends at Lost Coast Wizards in Fortuna.

Alex had an unforgettable smile that never left his face, which earned him his high school nick name, “Chipmunk.” Alex had a contagious laugh and was full of joy and zest for life, even to his very last day. Alex was a consummate prankster and a very loyal friend — no one felt unloved or left out in his presence. Everyone who stepped within five feet of Alex became a lifelong friend. Alex faced cancer with the tenacious resolve of a warrior that his circle of family, friends, and care givers observed with awe. In fact, his dad can’t recall hearing him complain once about having cancer.

Alex is survived by his parents, Chris and Alicia; his siblings, Christopher, Caleb, Amanda, Jeremiah, Katelynn, Niko, Tait, Katie, and Danielle; his grandmother Betty Donner, many more siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews, an uncountable number of friends, and his beloved black lab, Lucky. He will be very dearly missed by all.

Per Alex’s request, instead of a traditional funeral, family and friends will be gathering for a celebration of Alex’s life on Sunday, October 14 at the River Lodge Conference Center in Fortuna at 1 p.m. All friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Miranda’s Rescue in honor of Alexander Bieniek.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Alex Bieniek’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.