James Gilbert Alexander, Jr. was born in a little community named Frenchman’s Bayou close to Joiner in northeast Arkansas. His parents were James Gilbert Alexander, Sr. and Josephine Elrod Alexander.
He grew up in southeast Missouri, though, he graduated from high school in Kennett, MO. Afterward he served in the United States Air Force. He was proud to be a veteran and to have served his country.
Following his military service, he studied electrical engineering at the University of Missouri where he was inducted into Eta Kappa Nu, The National Honor Society for electrical engineering students. He graduated in 1962 from Mizzou with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He also did graduate work at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
He married his high school sweetheart, Abby Alexander, in 1959, and together they had three children, Mark, Brian, and Kimberly.
After graduation, Jim worked for General Electric in Sunnyvale, CA. He moved his family to Huntsville when the space program started to boom. He worked for over 30 years for the Army Missile Command (MICOM) and (AMCOM) Aviation and Missile Command. During his career, he earned several awards which included the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service and the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Jim enjoyed sports and coaching young men. He coached little league teams, and for several years coached basketball teams at Westminster Christian Academy.
Jim enjoyed reading about history and the biographies of great men. He loved doing genealogical research and participating in genealogical organizations such as the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the Alabama Society Sons of the War of 1812, and the Alabama Division Magna Charta Dames and Barons. He proudly served as the SAR National Committee Chairman of the Flag Committee for several years.
In 1979, the Alexander family joined Mount Zion Baptist Church where Jim served as a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and on several committees. For Jim, it was comforting to know that his eternal destiny was certain, he would spend eternity in Heaven with his Saviour.
The greatest joy of Jim’s life was his family. He was happy to have a loving, Chistian family, as well as so many fine friends.
Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, with the funeral following in the church. Burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
