Obituary of James Alexander

James Michael Alexander was born in Monroe on June 22, 1944 the son of the late William and Marguerite (Nadeau) Alexander. James attended St. Mary's for school. He served his country honorably as a member of the United States Army and he was stationed in Germany. After his discharge, James was employed by William Noland and Sons as a heavy equipment operator. Jim married Eva Kathy Sowder in 1966, and had two children: Michael and Tammy. On April 11, 1998 he married Pat Sprague in Las Vegas. For thirty years James worked as a Hi-Lo Driver for Ford Motor retiring in 2007. James had attended St. John the Baptist and St. Mary's Parish's. James moved to Perrysburg, Ohio where he became a member of St. Joseph Church, the American Legion Post 28, and the VFW in Maumee. Jim also volunteered for the American Red Cross, and he had lent a helping hand during Hurricane Wilma. He enjoyed travel and spoke fondly of a cross country jaunt by train with his beloved Pat. James was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, boating, and camping. He was an inventor and held several patents. Jim was always tinkering on cars. Jim age 68 passed away on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at St. Vincent Hospital. In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by siblings: William "Billy" Alexander and Mary Rose Alexander; brother-in-law: Bob Maloche; and grandson: Nathaniel Hammond. To cherish his memory he leaves his wife: Pat of Perrysburg; children: Michael (Shelly) Alexander of Monroe and Tammy (Chad) VanRiper of Monroe; stepchildren: David Hammond of Perrysburg and Kristi Hammond of Maumee; sisters: Kathy Maloche of Monroe, Paula (Harold) Holten, and Suzanne Alexander all of Monroe, and Maureen (Steve) Smith of Sterling Heights; and grandchildren: Michael and Taylor Alexander, Josh and Caleb Mason, and Devin, Brooke, Brittany VanRiper; Declan Hammond. Friends may gather from 1:00-8:00pm, Sunday, September 16, 2012 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. He will lie in state from 9:00am until the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:00am, Monday, September 17, at St. Mary Parish, 127 North Monroe. Father Mark Gawronski will officiate. Procession will follow to St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to the American Red Cross, Disaster Relief Fund. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, make a donation, or send flowers by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.