Mt. Moriah, MO: James “Jim” Edward Alexander, Sr., peacefully passed away on April 19, 2024, at the age of 92. He was born on November 29, 1931, in Mt. Moriah, Missouri, to Alva Emmitt and Bonnie Irene (Bane) Alexander.
During his school years, James enjoyed sports and especially as a member of the Mt. Moriah high school basketball team, graduating in 1949. Prior to joining the military, he worked as a farmhand.
James proudly served in the U.S. Army, from July 15, 1952 to July 3, 1954, stationed in Hokkaido, Japan during the Korean War, and was honored with the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, National Defense Service Medal, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and a Good Conduct Medal.
The very first day after returning home to Bethany, Missouri, James met his wife, Jeannine (Miller) Alexander, and they married on August 21, 1955. James and Jeannine soon moved to Kansas City, and welcomed three children, James Edward Alexander, Jr., Jerry Paul Alexander, and Jill Pauline Alexander.
A lifelong northland barber and owner of Foxwood Plaza Barber Shop, James enjoyed an incredible and beloved career, and retired in his early 80s. His customers were his friends, and the barbershop was full of both, some coming in for a haircut and others just to visit.
His early hobbies and pastimes included bowling and playing music. He had learned to play various instruments when he would fill in for his father, Alva, at town square music events, and could play the banjo, guitar, violin, and harmonica by ear. He also learned how to catch fish by hand from watching his father, and loved fishing, farming, and being outdoors. In later years, James enjoyed playing cards, buying lottery tickets, taking trips to the casinos, and most of all, visiting with his family.
James is preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Raymond Alexander, Kathryn (Alexander) Pearson, Arward Alexander, Mary (Alexander) Morgan, and Dwight Alexander.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannine Alexander; children: James, Jr. and his wife Janet (Wolanin) Alexander, Jerry and his wife Jane (Bowers) Alexander, and Jill (Alexander) and her husband Tony Masson; grandchildren: Patrick and his wife Katrina Longwith, Amanda (Alexander) and her husband Yazan Azzeh, Melinda (Alexander) and her husband Dean Vezeau, Caroline (Masson) and her husband Devin Black, Keara Masson, and Alex Masson; great-grandchildren: Hana, Murad, James, Olivia, Chloe, Killian and Wilder; his brother, Mike Alexander; sisters-in-law: Janet Alexander and Julia Harris; and brother-in-law, Larry Morgan.
The family extends heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Benton House of Tiffany Springs for their compassionate care and support.
A visitation with military honors to follow directly will be held at McGilley Antioch Chapel on Saturday, May 11 starting at 1 pm.