James “Jim” Edward Alexander, 89, of Evansville, passed away at 5:56 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at West River Health Campus. Jim was born January 15, 1929, in Herrin, IL, to the late Harry and Ruth (Goins) Alexander. He graduated from Herrin High School in 1948.
In 2002, he was inducted into the Herrin High School Hall of Fame for outstanding achievement in the field of athletics. Jim earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University, where he held a track record in the long jump for 13 years. He served in the United States Air Force for 4 years and spent most of his tour of duty in Japan during the Korean War.
Upon Honorable Discharge from the service, he graduated from the Air Traffic Control Academy in Oklahoma City. He retired from the Federal Aviation Administration after 23 years as an air traffic controller. Jim was an avid golfer and also enjoyed camping and traveling.
He was formerly a 35-year member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church and most recently, a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church where he served as an usher and greeter. He was also a member of Mended Hearts of Greater Evansville Chapter 107 since 1985 where he held various offices and assisted in sewing pillows for patients who had heart surgery. He is survived by his son, James Alexander II of Evansville; daughters, Laurie Goldbach (Cris) of Chandler, Mary E. Alexander of Evansville, and Jan Morris (Rick) of Evansville; and grandchildren, Daniel Goldbach, Molly Burnett (Matt), Katie Goldbach, and Olivia Mastison (Mathew).
He is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife of 58 years, JoAnn Sayre (Coughlin) Alexander, who passed away May 26, 2017. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Heart to Heart Hospice for their professionalism and compassion, and they would like to convey appreciation to the staff at West River Heath Campus. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 12, 2018 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2301 N Stockwell Road, Evansville with Father Zach Etienne officiating.
Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville and from 9:00 a.m. until service time, Friday, October 12, 2018 at Good Shephard Catholic Church. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 2301 N Stockwell Road, Evansville, IN 47715, Heart to Heart Hospice at 2532 Waterbridge Way, Evansville, IN 47710, or Mended Hearts of Greater Evansville Chapter 107 at 3103 E Mulberry Street, Evansville, IN 47714 (Attn: Larry Preske).
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