Service Details
When: Monday, June 11, 2018 Visitation – 4:00 – 6PM
Location: Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home Chapel, 4600 County Line Road, Racine, WI 53403
Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists
Petals by Felicia
James Lorenzo Alexander, age 88, passed away June 2, 2018 at the Villa Lincoln Park Nursing Home, in Racine, Wisconsin. He was born on June 26, 1930 in Tuskegee, Alabama, to Alonzo and Mimia (nee: Fort) Alexander who both preceded him in death. James was talented in doing anything he set out to do. He was skilled in electronics and mechanics. He could make electrical sockets for anything. He loved to read encyclopedias from beginning to end. He was self-taught and could do things one had to go to school for. James could give you an answer to things we did not know. He retired from J.I. Case on February 1, 1983 after 35 years of dedicated service.
Just ask “Be-Bop.” James earned the name “Be-Bop” from winning a “Be-Bop” dance contest. He especially love old school jazz music; for example, John Coltrane. James loved to play his tenor saxophone. He was a season ticket holder for the jazz series concerts Animal Crackers at the Racine Zoo. He also attended Pancake Day every year. James enjoyed going to eat at senior citizen lunch with his sister Lola and friends at the King Center where he also enjoyed shooting pool with “The fellas”. He loved to fish and camp up North on a boat in the Michigan waters with his children. James was a father figure to his children as well as his nieces, Lisa Thomas, Lana Schantl and Carla (Darrin) Ward. He made sure that he never missed any of their special days, which included Birthdays, sporting events and whatever else was going on their lives.
James was blessed with his children: James David “Jimmy” Alexander who passed away April 25, 2018, Raymond (Godette) Alexander of Atlanta, GA and Joy L. Alexander who passed June, 25, 2016 and D’Yanna Alexander of Memphis, TN. James had two brothers that preceded him in death; Emory C. Fort and Edgar Ellington both were from New Jersey. He also had three sisters. Delores (Saul) Johnson of Cleveland, OH, Lola B. Thomas-Haliburton of Racine, WI, and Loretta Hendrickson who preceded him in death from Morris Town, NJ. James had many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. He also had many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. He will be missed terribly by his many special friends and family.
Visitation will be in care of Draeger- Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Monday, June 11, 2018 from 4:00 to 6:00pm. Burial services will be on Thursday, June 14, 2018, 1:00pm at Graceland Cemetery, please meet the family at the front gates.
Robert Hicks......StephenBull An Park HG. 72-74 says
Ray….May Your Father RIP
Anne Bailey says
Prayers go out to you. It’s difficult at such a time to know words to say, but may you be comforted by faith and prayers.
Gary Cotton says
On behalf of my dad Ellis Cotton, we the Cotton family offer our sincere condolences to Mr. Alexander’s family. Rest on Be-bop.
Carla Ward says
A father figure throughout my life. My Uncle James never missed a special occasion or event. He will be dearly missed. We love you!
Di’Shione T. Pickens says
CONDOLENCES FROM THE PICKENS FAMILY, WILL MISS THE FATHER-LIKE FIGURE HE WAS TO MY BROTHER and I WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP!! REST PEACEFULLY JAMES/*OL’ BEBOP*.. THE *RIVIERA MAN* 😍 as I would so often call him!!
Bridget SWeitkuhn says
James was a participant in our Senior Lunch Program at the Martin Luther King Center for many years and was a great addition to our group. I enjoyed his sense of humor and kindness to others. I was proud to be his friend.