James Alexander

James Alexander Sr., 82, of Topeka, passed away suddenly at his home on Monday, December 30, 2013. James was born in on June 12, 1931, in Carolton GA, the son of Love Alexander and Mucie Lee Brown. He was one of three children. He attended a little school house five miles down the street from the family farm, where he walked with his siblings every day. When he was nine he moved to Columbus GA. He was drafted into the Army in June of 1949 and earned his GED through the military in 1954. He spent a good deal of his early service time in various parts of Germany coming back to the States in 1966. During that time he was a gunnery sergeant and a motor sergeant of military vehicles. He went to Vietnam in May of 1967 and returned in 1968 to Olathe Naval Air Station and Fort Houston VA until he went to Korea in 1970. James returned from Korea in 1971 and went to Fort Leavenworth, retiring from the service in March of 1972. James earned his B.A. at Columbia College while in the Army. A job at Forbes Field brought him to Topeka in 1973. He later left Topeka and moved to Illinois where he ran a garage for nine years and then worked for the federal government as a mechanic until his retirement in 1986 when he returned to Topeka to live. James enjoyed hunting and fishing, being with his children and grandchildren and had a great love for his church. He was baptized a Jehovah’s Witness in 1994. Surviving James are his children, Jaunita Miles, Dallas TX, James Alexander Jr., Atlanta GA, Harold Alexander, Columbus GA, Alisa Alexander, Galveston TX, Carl Alexander, Kansas City KS, Mariela Long, Topeka KS, Sheila Dela Cruz and Mary Jane Vu; 14 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his mother, Mussie Brown; sister, Mattie Gaudy; brother, Curtis Brown; and daughter, Vicky Alexander. A visitation for James will be Friday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with full Military Honors being presented at 5:30 p.m. at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS. Memorial Service will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4230 SW Gage Boulevard, Topeka KS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and sent in care of the funeral home.

James Alexander

June 12, 1931 - December 30, 2013