John Donald Alexander, Jr.

John was adventuresome. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War era as a Cryptologic Technician (CT) on the island of Adak in the Aleutian Islands off of Alaska and on the naval base of Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico. During that time he engaged in two hobbies that became life-time passions - Amateur Radio (HAM) and aviation. Through HAM radio, Dad communicated with people around the globe including a king from the Middle East and a famous country music singer. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, John flew cargo planes throughout the Caribbean Islands in the early 1950s before returning to Shreveport to help his parents in the family business, Tri-State Elevator. He became involved in the S.H.A.R.K.S. (Shreveport Area Radio Kontrol Society), a model airplane club through which he developed deep friendships across the South. John also volunteered at the local National Weather Service office via SKYWARN, providing severe weather warnings and notifications. After a successful career with Tri-State, John retired and enjoyed traveling in his motor home, flying his airplane, and spending time with "airport bum" friends at the Shreveport downtown airport. One of his nicknames was "Iceman" because he could land a failing airplane without breaking a sweat. He was born at home in Shreveport, Louisiana and passed away while temporarily living in Allen, Texas to be near a daughter and his grandchildren. His favorite nickname was "Grengraw." Preceding John in death were his parents, John Donald Alexander, Sr. and Marjorie Jane Carter Alexander, a brother Theodore (Teddy) Carter Alexander, and two sisters, Helen Eileen Bott and Margaret Ann Litton. He is survived by his children, John Donald Alexander, III and spouse Kathy Stroud, Teri Alexander Haynes and spouse Mark, and Ginger Alexander Luttrell and spouse Clay. John's grandchildren are Michael Joseph Luttrell, John Donald (Alex) Alexander, IV, Ashley Morgan Luttrell, Chase Austin Luttrell, and great-grandchildren Ashton Cole Luttrell, Khaya Mahlon Luttrell, and Reef Alexander Luttrell. He is also survived by three brothers, Charles Harvey Alexander and spouse Nancy, James Ronald Alexander and spouse Sandra, and Lawrence Mason Alexander and spouse Lynn. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by a Catholic Rosary at 6:30 p.m. at Rose-Neath Southside, 2500 Southside Drive, on Friday, February 27, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church, 1050 West Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2015. Honoring John as pallbearers will be George Carroll, Jim Howard, Ralph Findley, Brad Alexander, Dalin Alexander, and William Flynn. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his friends at SKYWARN and the National Weather Service office in Shreveport. Rose-Neath Southside 2500 Southside Drive 318-687-1256