Clarence Edward Alexander was born August 1, 1932 in College Station, Texas to Mitchell Alexander and Minnie Evalina Richardson. He was the last of five children born to Mitchell and Minnie, and was raised in a strong, loving family in Midland, Texas. While he was a very young boy, his family & friends began calling him Alex, short for Alexander, or "C" short for Clarence. He accepted the Lord as his savior and was baptized in 1940 at Macedonia Baptist Church in Midland, Texas, by Reverend H. F. Doyle.
Alex was a tall, handsome young man with many dreams, an abundance of ambition with a firm determination. As a freshman at Douglas High School in El Paso, Texas, he left school early to help support his family. He later earned his G.E.D. while serving in the military.
By 1948, his determination and his adventurous drive to see the world, urged him to enlist in the U.S. Army. At the age of 15, he had his birth year changed on his birth certificate so he could enlist. At 15, he was tall enough to look like a well built soldier. On March 3, 1948, in El Paso, Texas he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Alex was a truck driver while stationed at Ft. Bliss New Mexico, Ft. Knox in Kentucky, and Ft. Riley in Kansas before being shipped to Okinawa, Japan on October 4, 1949. He returned from Japan in 1951, and was stationed at Ft. Lewis and Ft. Lawton in Washington state. He earned the rank of Corporal and was sent to Korea until 1952, then Japan until the beginning of 1954. He earned an Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Army in April of 1954.
Alex enjoyed being a world traveler through his military service and experiences. In May 1954, one month after his discharge from the Army, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at George Air force Base in Victorville, California for 6 months before being stationed at Chambley Air Force Base in Lorraine, France through 1957. Alex served as an Air Force Policeman while stationed at various Air Force bases overseas. His travels included Morocco, Africa, Germany, Asia and England before earning his Honorable Discharge while stationed in Merced, California in 1962.
Not one to sit around idle, after his discharge from the Air Force, Alex enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and served as a Deputy Sheriff Guard for the Marshall Islands from 1962 through 1964. He worked as a Federal Guard for the Richmond California Shipyards and a Toll Collector on the San Francisco Bay Bridge until becoming employed as a bus driver for A C Transit from 1966 to 1992 when he retired. While working for A C Transit, he again joined the Army National Guard in 1973, and retired ranked as a Staff Sergeant on January 19, 1983. Alex also worked weekends driving party buses from the Bay Area to Reno, Nevada for the Lucky Tours company 1996 through 2003. Alex really loved to make money and often said, "Got to get those ducketts"!
Alex always enjoyed fun and interesting things. He enjoyed visiting and helping family and friends, playing cards, dominoes & listening to good music - Aretha Franklin was one of his many favorites. He also enjoyed cooking big dinners, joining bowling teams and leagues, and watching sports - especially his favorite football team, the Oakland Raiders!
His pleasant, cheerful personality and love of laughter made it easy to share a heartfelt moment with him. Anyone who knew him can remember his magnetic smile, and the goodness and generosity of his character. Drawn to his heart was Lillian Gress of Lorraine,France, and their union in 1957 was blessed with a daughter named after his sister, Doris Mae Alexander. In 1961, Fayerene Wiley (deceased), was also drawn to his heart in marriage. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Sheila Renee' Alexander. His heart touched Mary Ellen Bland and they married on November 20, 1976. Alex adopted Mary's children, Sandra Michelle and Derek Eugene Alexander. He is also blessed with many nieces, nephews and friends who adopted him!
Alex was preceded in death by both parents, two sisters, Eddie Pearl & Minnie Rose, and his older brother Mitchell. He leaves us to cherish many memories of his generous love and laughter. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Ellen Alexander, daughters Sheila, Doris and Sandra Alexander, son Derek Eugene Alexander, a beloved sister, Doris M. (Gerald) Lynch, 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grand child on the way, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.
At Rest...
Alex was a tall, handsome young man with many dreams, an abundance of ambition with a firm determination. As a freshman at Douglas High School in El Paso, Texas, he left school early to help support his family. He later earned his G.E.D. while serving in the military.
By 1948, his determination and his adventurous drive to see the world, urged him to enlist in the U.S. Army. At the age of 15, he had his birth year changed on his birth certificate so he could enlist. At 15, he was tall enough to look like a well built soldier. On March 3, 1948, in El Paso, Texas he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Alex was a truck driver while stationed at Ft. Bliss New Mexico, Ft. Knox in Kentucky, and Ft. Riley in Kansas before being shipped to Okinawa, Japan on October 4, 1949. He returned from Japan in 1951, and was stationed at Ft. Lewis and Ft. Lawton in Washington state. He earned the rank of Corporal and was sent to Korea until 1952, then Japan until the beginning of 1954. He earned an Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Army in April of 1954.
Alex enjoyed being a world traveler through his military service and experiences. In May 1954, one month after his discharge from the Army, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at George Air force Base in Victorville, California for 6 months before being stationed at Chambley Air Force Base in Lorraine, France through 1957. Alex served as an Air Force Policeman while stationed at various Air Force bases overseas. His travels included Morocco, Africa, Germany, Asia and England before earning his Honorable Discharge while stationed in Merced, California in 1962.
Not one to sit around idle, after his discharge from the Air Force, Alex enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and served as a Deputy Sheriff Guard for the Marshall Islands from 1962 through 1964. He worked as a Federal Guard for the Richmond California Shipyards and a Toll Collector on the San Francisco Bay Bridge until becoming employed as a bus driver for A C Transit from 1966 to 1992 when he retired. While working for A C Transit, he again joined the Army National Guard in 1973, and retired ranked as a Staff Sergeant on January 19, 1983. Alex also worked weekends driving party buses from the Bay Area to Reno, Nevada for the Lucky Tours company 1996 through 2003. Alex really loved to make money and often said, "Got to get those ducketts"!
Alex always enjoyed fun and interesting things. He enjoyed visiting and helping family and friends, playing cards, dominoes & listening to good music - Aretha Franklin was one of his many favorites. He also enjoyed cooking big dinners, joining bowling teams and leagues, and watching sports - especially his favorite football team, the Oakland Raiders!
His pleasant, cheerful personality and love of laughter made it easy to share a heartfelt moment with him. Anyone who knew him can remember his magnetic smile, and the goodness and generosity of his character. Drawn to his heart was Lillian Gress of Lorraine,France, and their union in 1957 was blessed with a daughter named after his sister, Doris Mae Alexander. In 1961, Fayerene Wiley (deceased), was also drawn to his heart in marriage. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Sheila Renee' Alexander. His heart touched Mary Ellen Bland and they married on November 20, 1976. Alex adopted Mary's children, Sandra Michelle and Derek Eugene Alexander. He is also blessed with many nieces, nephews and friends who adopted him!
Alex was preceded in death by both parents, two sisters, Eddie Pearl & Minnie Rose, and his older brother Mitchell. He leaves us to cherish many memories of his generous love and laughter. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Ellen Alexander, daughters Sheila, Doris and Sandra Alexander, son Derek Eugene Alexander, a beloved sister, Doris M. (Gerald) Lynch, 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grand child on the way, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.
At Rest...
Clarence Edward Alexander was born August 1, 1932 in College Station, Texas to Mitchell Alexander and Minnie Evalina Richardson. He was the last of five children born to Mitchell and Minnie, and was raised in a strong, loving family in Midland, Texas. While he was a very young boy, his family & friends began calling him Alex, short for Alexander, or "C" short for Clarence. He accepted the Lord as his savior and was baptized in 1940 at Macedonia Baptist Church in Midland, Texas, by Reverend H. F. Doyle.
Alex was a tall, handsome young man with many dreams, an abundance of ambition with a firm determination. As a freshman at Douglas High School in El Paso, Texas, he left school early to help support his family. He later earned his G.E.D. while serving in the military.
By 1948, his determination and his adventurous drive to see the world, urged him to enlist in the U.S. Army. At the age of 15, he had his birth year changed on his birth certificate so he could enlist. At 15, he was tall enough to look like a well built soldier. On March 3, 1948, in El Paso, Texas he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Alex was a truck driver while stationed at Ft. Bliss New Mexico, Ft. Knox in Kentucky, and Ft. Riley in Kansas before being shipped to Okinawa, Japan on October 4, 1949. He returned from Japan in 1951, and was stationed at Ft. Lewis and Ft. Lawton in Washington state. He earned the rank of Corporal and was sent to Korea until 1952, then Japan until the beginning of 1954. He earned an Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Army in April of 1954.
Alex enjoyed being a world traveler through his military service and experiences. In May 1954, one month after his discharge from the Army, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at George Air force Base in Victorville, California for 6 months before being stationed at Chambley Air Force Base in Lorraine, France through 1957. Alex served as an Air Force Policeman while stationed at various Air Force bases overseas. His travels included Morocco, Africa, Germany, Asia and England before earning his Honorable Discharge while stationed in Merced, California in 1962.
Not one to sit around idle, after his discharge from the Air Force, Alex enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and served as a Deputy Sheriff Guard for the Marshall Islands from 1962 through 1964. He worked as a Federal Guard for the Richmond California Shipyards and a Toll Collector on the San Francisco Bay Bridge until becoming employed as a bus driver for A C Transit from 1966 to 1992 when he retired. While working for A C Transit, he again joined the Army National Guard in 1973, and retired ranked as a Staff Sergeant on January 19, 1983. Alex also worked weekends driving party buses from the Bay Area to Reno, Nevada for the Lucky Tours company 1996 through 2003. Alex really loved to make money and often said, "Got to get those ducketts"!
Alex always enjoyed fun and interesting things. He enjoyed visiting and helping family and friends, playing cards, dominoes & listening to good music - Aretha Franklin was one of his many favorites. He also enjoyed cooking big dinners, joining bowling teams and leagues, and watching sports - especially his favorite football team, the Oakland Raiders!
His pleasant, cheerful personality and love of laughter made it easy to share a heartfelt moment with him. Anyone who knew him can remember his magnetic smile, and the goodness and generosity of his character. Drawn to his heart was Lillian Gress of Lorraine,France, and their union in 1957 was blessed with a daughter named after his sister, Doris Mae Alexander. In 1961, Fayerene Wiley (deceased), was also drawn to his heart in marriage. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Sheila Renee' Alexander. His heart touched Mary Ellen Bland and they married on November 20, 1976. Alex adopted Mary's children, Sandra Michelle and Derek Eugene Alexander. He is also blessed with many nieces, nephews and friends who adopted him!
Alex was preceded in death by both parents, two sisters, Eddie Pearl & Minnie Rose, and his older brother Mitchell. He leaves us to cherish many memories of his generous love and laughter. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Ellen Alexander, daughters Sheila, Doris and Sandra Alexander, son Derek Eugene Alexander, a beloved sister, Doris M. (Gerald) Lynch, 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grand child on the way, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.
At Rest...
Alex was a tall, handsome young man with many dreams, an abundance of ambition with a firm determination. As a freshman at Douglas High School in El Paso, Texas, he left school early to help support his family. He later earned his G.E.D. while serving in the military.
By 1948, his determination and his adventurous drive to see the world, urged him to enlist in the U.S. Army. At the age of 15, he had his birth year changed on his birth certificate so he could enlist. At 15, he was tall enough to look like a well built soldier. On March 3, 1948, in El Paso, Texas he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Alex was a truck driver while stationed at Ft. Bliss New Mexico, Ft. Knox in Kentucky, and Ft. Riley in Kansas before being shipped to Okinawa, Japan on October 4, 1949. He returned from Japan in 1951, and was stationed at Ft. Lewis and Ft. Lawton in Washington state. He earned the rank of Corporal and was sent to Korea until 1952, then Japan until the beginning of 1954. He earned an Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Army in April of 1954.
Alex enjoyed being a world traveler through his military service and experiences. In May 1954, one month after his discharge from the Army, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at George Air force Base in Victorville, California for 6 months before being stationed at Chambley Air Force Base in Lorraine, France through 1957. Alex served as an Air Force Policeman while stationed at various Air Force bases overseas. His travels included Morocco, Africa, Germany, Asia and England before earning his Honorable Discharge while stationed in Merced, California in 1962.
Not one to sit around idle, after his discharge from the Air Force, Alex enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and served as a Deputy Sheriff Guard for the Marshall Islands from 1962 through 1964. He worked as a Federal Guard for the Richmond California Shipyards and a Toll Collector on the San Francisco Bay Bridge until becoming employed as a bus driver for A C Transit from 1966 to 1992 when he retired. While working for A C Transit, he again joined the Army National Guard in 1973, and retired ranked as a Staff Sergeant on January 19, 1983. Alex also worked weekends driving party buses from the Bay Area to Reno, Nevada for the Lucky Tours company 1996 through 2003. Alex really loved to make money and often said, "Got to get those ducketts"!
Alex always enjoyed fun and interesting things. He enjoyed visiting and helping family and friends, playing cards, dominoes & listening to good music - Aretha Franklin was one of his many favorites. He also enjoyed cooking big dinners, joining bowling teams and leagues, and watching sports - especially his favorite football team, the Oakland Raiders!
His pleasant, cheerful personality and love of laughter made it easy to share a heartfelt moment with him. Anyone who knew him can remember his magnetic smile, and the goodness and generosity of his character. Drawn to his heart was Lillian Gress of Lorraine,France, and their union in 1957 was blessed with a daughter named after his sister, Doris Mae Alexander. In 1961, Fayerene Wiley (deceased), was also drawn to his heart in marriage. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Sheila Renee' Alexander. His heart touched Mary Ellen Bland and they married on November 20, 1976. Alex adopted Mary's children, Sandra Michelle and Derek Eugene Alexander. He is also blessed with many nieces, nephews and friends who adopted him!
Alex was preceded in death by both parents, two sisters, Eddie Pearl & Minnie Rose, and his older brother Mitchell. He leaves us to cherish many memories of his generous love and laughter. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Ellen Alexander, daughters Sheila, Doris and Sandra Alexander, son Derek Eugene Alexander, a beloved sister, Doris M. (Gerald) Lynch, 7 grandchildren, 1 great-grand child on the way, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.
At Rest...
Inscription
Clarence Edward Alexander
SSGT
U S Air Force
Korea
1931 - 2013
Gravesite Details
Changed DOB to enlist early; His military DOB, 1931 is on the headstone.
