Mr. Lexer was a 1957 graduate of Cattaraugus Central School. He had owned and operated a dairy farm in East Otto for many years.
He was a life member of the William C. Edmunds Fire Department in East Otto, which he joined in 1958. He was elected to fire chief in 1965, a position he held for 18 years.
He was the Cattaraugus County deputy fire coordinator from 1983-1985 when he became Cattaraugus County Emergency Services director from 1985 till present.
He was a member of the Cattaraugus County Fire Advisory Board, Cattaraugus County Fire Investigation Team, Cattaraugus County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Cattaraugus County Critical lncident Stress Management Team, Cattaraugus County Hazardous Material Response Team (which he helped form), Emergency Fire Protection Association, International Association of Arson Investigators.
He was also a member of NYS County Fire Coordinators Association (third vice president), NYS Association of Fire Chiefs, NYS Fire Investigators, Weapons of Mass Destruction Task Force, Southwestern Volunteer Firemen's Association, Cattaraugus County Firemen's Association, and the Cattaraugus County Fire Chiefs Association.
Mr. Lexer was also a member of East Otto United Methodist Church, and a social member of the Ellicottville American Legion and the Little Valley VFW.
He was the husband of Janet (Pritchard) Lexer; son of the late Belmont and Vera (Thiesenhusen) Lexer; father of Timothy (Barb) Lexer of East Otto, Debra (John) Golley of Ellicottville and Tina (David) Arnold of East Otto; and brother of Willard (Elaine) Lexer of Blasdell, Marguerite (Richard) Hintz of Mansfield, and the late Lewis Lexer; also survived by 11 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the East Otto Fire Department or Homecare Hospice.
Arrangements were by the Mentley Funeral Home, Inc., Little Valley.