ALEXANDER WELLMAN OBITUARY

WELLMAN, Alexander “Al” Stewart 61, a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away at home on Tuesday, November 22, 2022. He was born on November 9, 1961, to Rosalie Stewart Wellman and Lawrence Daniel Wellman, Sr. in New Orleans, LA. Al’s early years were spent in New Orleans, where his family owned both the Crescent Bar and the Stirrup Lounge on St. Charles Street in the heart of the French Quarter. After a brief move to Detroit, MI, his family settled in Clearwater in 1971. He attended South Ward Elememtary School, Belleair Elementary School, Kennedy Middle School, and Clearwater High School, graduating in 1980. His family purchased the Dairy Kurl Ice Cream shop on Gulf to Bay Blvd. in Clearwater in 1972, and Al began working there after school at the age of 12. During his life, Al also pursued other vocations in roofing and walking high steel welding before returning to the family business. After his father’s death in 2001, his mothers’ retirement in 2002, and his brother Larry’s decision to pursue a career in law enforcement in 2004, Al became owner/operator of the Dairy Kurl until 2015, when he was forced to retire for health reasons. In 2018, Al passed ownership of the Dairy Kurl to a former employee and longtime family friend, Morton Myers, with the promise to maintain the Dairy Kurl’s historical character. During the years that Al ran the Dairy Kurl, his son’s, Matthew and Dylan, were always by his side, from toddlers into their teens, helping him with the everyday operation of the business. Al was fortunate over the years at the Dairy Kurl to have had many great folks as employees, who went on to become forever friends to him and his family. Al’s passions in his early years were football, where he played on the Clearwater High School football team. He also learned woodworking, a loved hobby that he continued throughout his lifetime. He often reminisced about one of his favorite youthful pastimes, teenage weekend trips with friends to Old Boot Ranch and to the power lines along Race Track Road to go mudding in his truck. As an adult, Al became an avid outdoorsman and hunter. He looked forward to his trips several times a year to Wild Turkey Hunting Club in Gordo, AL, where he made lifelong friends over the years. When his health forced him to give up the Dairy Kurl and his leisure pursuits, Al had more time to spend with his sons, loudly and proudly cheering Matthew on at baseball games. Then, marveling at all that Matthew was learning about computer technology through his participation in E-Commerce Academy, and just this year, proudly watching Matthew graduate from high school. Al enjoyed his time with his younger son, Dylan, teaching him everyday life skills, cheering Dylan on as a participant in Challenger baseball, as well as attending other activities for youngsters with developmental disabilities. Al was always Dylan’s best caregiver, biggest advocate, and best buddy in all their adventures. His whole life was his family. Al was a wonderful, caring, and devoted husband to Michelle and father to his two boys. He was a big man in stature whose mere presence might intimidate you, but in reality, he was a gentle giant with a kind and loving heart. Even on his most down days, health-wise, he never complained, and was always thankful to the Lord for all that he had, especially his time here with all of us. Al left us way too soon, he will be greatly missed, never forgotten, and forever loved by those he leaves behind. He may no longer walk among us, but his footprints still remain. Survived by his wife of 19 years, Michelle (Sternik) Wellman; two sons, Matthew Wellman and Dylan Wellman, of Largo, FL; his brother, Lawrence Daniel Wellman, II, of Como, MS; sister, Roxanne Wellman Miller, of Greer, SC; niece’s, Sara Martinez and Holl’ee Whaley; nephews, Hunter Miller, Parker Miller and Daniel Wellman; and many cousins in Florida, Mississippi, California and Canada. Services by Community Cremation. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Please contact family for location and further details.