Harold Alexander
Harold Leon Alexander, Sr., 87, of East Ridge, died on Monday, October 20, 2014.
He was born in Chattanooga to the late Raleigh Hamilton and Cora Mae Simpson Alexander.
He was a United States Navy veteran of WWII, having enlisted in the Navy while in his senior year at Chattanooga Central High School prior to his graduation in May. He served on the USS Wasatch, AGC-9, a flagship of Amphibious Group 8 of the Pacific Fleet and was assigned to Rear Admiral Noble’s staff. He was engaged in the Battle of Borneo and was present in Japan as part of the Allied Occupation Forces on September 15, 1945 one month after the war ended.
Harold was a communications technician with Southern Bell, South Central Bell and AT&T and retired in 1991 after 40 years of service without taking one sick day. He was a member of American Legion Blair Post #95, the Telephone Pioneers of America and a member of the Communication Workers of America. He was of the Methodist faith.
Harold was a loving and generous person who loved his family very much. He enjoyed playing golf and was delighted when he hit a hole-in-one at the Eastgate Golf Course.
His grandchildren were the light of his life and he especially enjoyed having Easter Egg Hunts for them every year and hiding money in the special ones for them to find.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a true gentleman whose kind and giving nature will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Raleigh Alexander, Jr., Mary Ellen Gray, Martha Harp and William “Bill” Alexander.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Martha of East Ridge; his children, Leon (Starr) Alexander, Jr. of Chattanooga; Angela (Eric) Alexander Hawkins of Franklin; his granddaughters, Victoria and Julia Hawkins and several nieces and nephews; Rebecca Long, Tom Harp, Mickey Gray, Jeannie Curry, Rene’ Hipp, Wesley Alexander, Courtney Hickey, Will Alexander, and Martha Jane Nava.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Martin-Boyd Christian Home for taking such good care of him. And thanks to the caring staff at Hospice of Chattanooga who comforted him in his final days.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, and 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Thursday at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Dr. Laurence Hesser officiating. Interment will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Martin-Boyd Christian Home, 6845 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com.
Harold Alexander