James C. (Neil) Alexander 1915-2006

ALEXANDER, STANFORD, STILES, PHILLIPS, TUSHNET, SMITH

Posted By: MPT (email)
Date: 2/9/2006 at 21:47:41

The Des Moines Register
Thursday, February 9, 2006

Neil Alexander died of stroke complications on February 7, 2006 at Kavanagh House, Hopice of Centeral Iowa.

Neil was born on December 13, 1915 to Vernon and Theresa (Collister) Alexander on a farm near Larrabee, IA. After graduation from Larrabee High School, he attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA.

Following Neil's college graduation in 1937, he was hired to teach in Nodaway, IA. That same year, he married Orva Stanford, who had also grown up on a farm near Larrabee.

In 1939, Neil began teaching secondary students in Norwalk, IA. The family moved to Chariton in 1943. Neil served as a coach, and taught social studies and physical education in five Iowa schools for a total of forty years, thirty-two were in the Chariton School District.

In honor of Neil's teaching career, his family previously established the Neil Alexander Scholarship for a graduate of the Chariton Schools, aspiring to a career in secondary school teaching.

Like so many of his generation, Neil was affected by the lessons of the Great Depression and strived to avoid debt throughout life. Others described him as a kind and unassuming man who was devoted to his extended family and greatly enjoyed playing cards. He was an avid sports fan and a lover of history. Neil was a lifelong compassionate Democrat. Neil helped out in his community, including active participation in the Chariton Lions Club and his efforts as a volunteer coordinator with the Lucas County Magistrate Court's community service program. In 1991, he was selected as an Iowa Volunteer of the Year.

Neil's first wife, Orva (Stanford) Alexander, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Mildred (Stiles) Alexander; daughter, Carol (Alexander) Dean Phillips; daughter, Helen Alexander; daughter, Elizabeth (Alexander) and Mark Tushnet; step-daughter, Dianne Tingle; sister, Elaine Smith; brother, Lorne and Norma Alexander; nine grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Lucas Co. Senior Citizens' Center or to the Chariton Public Library specifically for historical books.

Arrangements made by Fielding Funeral Home.