Algie Anderson Felder

Algie Anderson Felder, known as “Pops”, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in El Paso, Texas. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Rev. Anderson Henry and Lera Trammell on June 3, 1928. One of five children, four boys and one girl.

At an early age, he professed his faith at St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Upon moving to El Paso in1961, he and his wife joined Myrtle Avenue (St. James-Myrtle) since there was no AME Zion Church in the city. They transferred their membership in 1974 to Grace United Methodist.

As a young child, he had an interest in repairing radios, working on cars, building an airplane, and anything electrical. With the development of televisions, he later added television repair work to his repertoire. When his family lived on Tallapoosa Street in Birmingham, after the death of his father, he developed a warning system so they would know when someone approached their front door. He was gifted in electronics, making a radio out of a matchbox, using empty matchboxes, thread spools, and copper wire. His mother turned the back porch into a workplace for him, where he continued to create ideas and work on electronics.

He graduated from Parker High School, Birmingham, home of the thundering herd, in 1947. Following high school, he enlisted in the Army, where he was stationed in Japan as a Military Police Officer. While living in Japan, he learned the language and developed a deep respect for the country's culture, which he always upheld.

After leaving the military, he attended Miles College in Birmingham, where he met the love of his life, Ruth McMurry. They married and moved to Chicago, where he attended the De Forest Resident School. He received a diploma from the De Forest Resident School (now DeVry Institute). He also earned an associate degree in science from Pacific International College of Arts and Sciences and received a Bachelor of Science in the Sciences from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1972. He also continued his master's level studies in business management. In addition to his academic degrees, the Department of the Army Air Defense conferred an Honorary Doctor of Air Defense in 1967.

After completing his military service, he returned to Birmingham and began operating his own repair business. While attending DeForest, he worked at a machine shop and the Baby Ruth Factory. He began his Civil Service Career at Camp Gordon (now Ft. Gordon) in Georgia where he worked as a Field Radio Repair with the US Army South, In 1961, he was transferred to El Paso with the Signal School where he held the following positions over his 27 year career: Radar Repair (US Air Defense School), Division Supervisor Training Instructor Frequency Scan, Division Level Supervisor Instructor Safeguard Systems. Support, Division Supervisory Training Instruction, Command and Control Systems Division – US Army Air Defense Center until his retirement in August of 1979.

Pops had a true entrepreneurial spirit. He worked as an engineer for WYBF TV in Augusta, Georgia, from 1957 to 1961. In 1965, he started “F” Communications, offering radio repair and broadcast consulting. He worked as an engineer for KDBC -TV from 1968-1979 on the weekends. He also served as a contract engineer for KISO & KLOZ Radio from 1966 -1979. Upon his retirement from Civil Service, he began his lifelong dream of owning a radio station. He built and operated radio station KLMF–FM in Fabens, Texas, from 1979 to 1983, as a joint venture with his sister. The Call sign letters were the initials of his sister Lois. He involved his family in the station's daily operations, including sales, commercial production, clerical work, Disc Jockey (DJ) duties, and tower and transmitter maintenance. In 1983, he sold the station. In 1986, he purchased the license back, moved the physical location to Clint, and renamed the station KPAS-FM. Algie became the President/Proprietor of the gospel broadcast company, providing Inspirational and gospel music in both English and Spanish, in the El Paso/Juarez area. He held the FM license until 2024.

Throughout his life, Algie belonged to various professional and civic organizations. He was an active member of the Sigma Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Incorporated for 64 years and attended meetings until the age of 97. He was extremely proud of his Life Membership in the fraternity, never hesitating to let everyone know he was Life Member #22. He served as the Basileus in 82-83. He was a Life Member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers and a Senior Certified Member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers, where he helped organize the El Paso Chapter #38, and he served as the Certification Chairman for the Chapter. His other memberships over the years have included: Matrix Society, University of Texas at El Paso; Ysleta Lions Club (served as an At-Large President); Mescalero District of the Boy Scouts of America; Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; Member of the Institute of Radio Engineers; Member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers; El Paso Cable Compliance Commission; El Paso Central Appraisal District Founding member (served as Secretary and Vice Chairman); Board of Directors for Project Bravo; Board of Directors for Mental Health/Mental retardation; Board of Directors for Child Treatment Center; US Civil Service Board of Examiners, Grievance Examiner, and EEO Counselor at Fort Bliss.

One of the true highlights of his volunteer activities was his election to the Ysleta Independent School District School Board. While he was not the first African American to serve on the board, he was the first elected by constituents in the Ysleta area. During his time on the board, he served as Secretary and Vice President. He was the lead negotiator when the district purchased Morningside Mall as its headquarters.

Algie encouraged his children in their many endeavors. They were provided with musical instruments, and he afforded them the ability to earn a bachelor’s degree in any field of choice. He also raised his children to be independent and taught them many skills, including electronic repairs, business skills, public speaking, caring for farm animals, plumbing, painting, and general repairs. He was willing to help his children with their homework, specifically math and science, even though the help was not always appreciated by the teachers. Pops was a lifelong learner, and he instilled that in his children, along with creating a work ethic in each of his children and grandchildren.

Algie was preceded in death by his wife of almost 64 years, Ruth McMurry Felder; daughter, Gwendolyn Felder; brothers, Rev. Dr. Albert Horace Felder and Alphonsa Felder; and son-in-law, Frank Hicks. Algie is survived by his children: Cheryll Ann Felder, Algie Anderson Felder, Jr. (Sylvia), Xavier Franklin Felder, Valerie Irene Felder Hicks, Hubert Alonzo Felder, Benita Ruth Munoz (Henry) and Carla Lorraine Felder; nine grandchildren: Anthony Lee Felder, Phillip McMurry Felder (Sierra), William Edward Felder,(Aileen), Christina Allison Felder, Jennifer Gwen Munoz, Michael William Munoz, Jessica Irene Munoz, Hampton Sebastian McGuire-Felder and Hunter Anderson McGuire-Felder; eight great-grandchildren: Xavier Morgan Felder, Lyric Nicole Munoz, Maverick Anderson Felder, Trevor Anderson Felder, Bryson William Munoz, Jordan Emiliyn Felder, Ryan Allen Felder, Romeo Isaiah Munoz, and Presley Joelle Munoz; brother, Willie Woodrow Felder (Mabel); sister, Lois Felder Jones, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; friend and fraternity brother, and Jefferson Jenkins.

Our Pops left a lasting legacy in all of his children and everyone he helped nurture along the way.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM with an Omega Service at 6:00 PM and a Prayer Service at 6:30 PM, Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Sunset Funeral Homes- East, 750 N. Carolina. Funeral Service will be at 11:30 AM, Friday, January 23, 2026, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 7000 Edgemere. Graveside Service will follow at 1:30 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Military Honors.

Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made in memory of Algie A. Felder, to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity - Sigma Tau Chaper Community Foundation.

https://omegauplift.org/sigma-tau-community-foundation-inc/