Elijah Alfred Alexander III (Eli), age 39 of Frisco, Texas passed away on March 24th, 2010 in Dallas, Texas surrounded by his family and friends. He was born August 2, 1970 in Fort Worth, Texas to Camala Ridley and raised in conjunction with his stepfather Herman Ridley. Elijah graduated from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School for Science & Engineering Professions where he was not only a standout football player, but also an excellent student. He excelled in all subjects although he particularly loved mathematics. Upon graduating, he was awarded a full scholarship to play collegiate football at Kansas State University (KSU). While attending KSU, Eli was inducted into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, Delta Delta Chapter. In 1992, Elijah was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 10th round of the NFL draft. Against all odds, he fought to earn his spot on the roster and would ultimately play 9 NFL seasons as a starting linebacker for the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, and Oakland Raiders. Elijah met his wife Kimberly while she was a student at the University of Florida. Eli and Kim were wed on May 27th, 1995 in Gainesville, Florida. Shortly after, they began their family, giving birth to two wonderful boys, Elijah Alexander IV (14) and Evan Alexander (12). Elijah was a faithful man of God, a devoted husband of 15 years and a loving father who was actively involved in every aspect of his sons’ lives. In 2003 he began a five year run as the head coach and defensive coordinator of the ‘mighty’ Wildcats Frisco Football League (named after his high school and college alma maters). As a coach, he developed a special relationship with all of his players, coaches, parents, and had a tremendous impact on the Frisco community. In October 2005, Eli was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer. In 2006 he founded Tackle Myeloma Foundation (now named “Tackle Cancer Foundation”) a non-profit organization which provides financial support for families who have children diagnosed with all forms of pediatric cancer and adults diagnosed with multiple myeloma. His passion for fighting this disease and helping children with cancer became his daily mission and God given purpose in life. He traveled the country as a patient advocate speaking on behalf of cancer patients and providing inspiration to those living with cancer. He is survived by his mother Camala Ridley of Fort Worth, Texas; wife, Kimberly Alexander of Gainesville, Florida; sons Elijah Alexander IV and Evan Alexander of Frisco, Texas; sister Karn Alexander of Arlington, Texas; brother Shannon Ridley (Chanda) of Frisco, Texas; niece/nephew Tiana Baxter and Jordan Johnson of Arlington, Texas; uncle Bobby Taylor (Dorothy) of Dallas, Texas; aunt Maebelle Stevenson of Denison, Texas; numerous relatives, and a wealth of friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Herman Ridley. Elijah has touched the lives of countless individuals and his legacy will span generation upon generation. The family will receive friends during a Visitation to be held on Monday, March 29, 2010 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Frisco, Texas beginning at 6:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano with Pastor Scott Turner and Pastor Tony McCoy officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgeview West Memorial Park in Frisco, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Tackle Cancer Foundation, 17311 Dallas Pkwy., Ste. 220, Dallas, Texas 75248
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My prayers are with your family. May God bless them and protect them. Paula "Slim" M, May 12, 2010 We had but a few short years knowing Elijah and helping with the foundation, but our time was precious. We will remember with love his big heart and all that he has tried to do for others. We believe he is in heaven praying for all of us right now, It is with hope and prayers that we will keep him in our hearts and memories. For you Kim and the rest of the family, your in our prayers, hearts and thoughts. May his memory be eternal... Tom Jeffrey, April 30, 2010 It was an honor to know Eli and to be a part of the Friday morning bible study with him and the other men. It was also an honor to take his portrait just weeks before his passing. I will never forget his straight forward attitude and his "get it done" mentality. His legacy will live on as those who know him take this same approach. I vow to never forget the times and laughs I shared with Eli. His friendship can not be replaced. David Podwika, April 7, 2010 My deepest sympathy and prayers to you at this time of great loss. May you find some peace in knowing that he was a great father, husband and friend and touched many lives with his kindness. May you find comfort in God's promise to one day bring an end to all sickness, sorrow and even death itself - Revelation 21:4. In the meantime you all will be in our hearts, and prayers. Kevin Johnson, April 1, 2010 Dear Mrs Alexander, You will never know me, but now you know of me, just like I know of your husband Elijah. I can tell by reading his life story that he was a wonderful man, and this must give you great comfort, and in many ways you are very lucky to have known him, for what to you must seem an awfully short time. My daughter Stephanie was born on the 12th June 1979, when Elijah was just 9 years old. She was a beautiful girl that we adored. Six months later my wife took her to the doctor's because she would not stop crying. Some time after the hospital received back the blood tests which said Stephanie had leukaemia. We took her to a famous London hospital, Great Ormond Street, and for 5 days they tried to find out what kind of Leukaemia she had. On the 6th day the Consultant Haemotologist, Dr Judith Chessels, took us into her office. It took her almost 10 minutes to try and tell us what was wrong with Stephanie. By then we knew she would die quite soon. In fact Stephanie had the rarest blood cancer of all, Acute Erythroid Leukaemia, a type of AML. She died 8 weeks later on Saturday 3rd May 1980, at 3:45pm. However that is not the end of my story. Three years later on the same Saturday - 30th April 1983 - my wife gave birth to our second daughter, at 4:05pm. We do feel that we got our daughter back. Natalie is now 26 and is getting married on 14th August 2010 at 3pm London time, and I will be thinking of Stephanie then. Of course that in turn will remind me of your wonderful husband, who is now watching over you and your children. I hope, in some small way, you and your family can find a little comfort in what I have told you. I believe in God, and I believe Elijah will be with you again. God Bless you all. Rex Eric Horwood, April 1, 2010 Kim, my sincere condolences go out to you and your family for your loss. I was out of town when I heard that your husband had passed away and I immediately said a prayer and will continue to pray that God gives you the strength and peace to get you through this most difficult times. Leah W., March 31, 2010 Kimberly, You know that you are in our prayers. Stay strong and know that God will keep you and bless you. Take care Delphine Jackson, March 31, 2010 From Our Ebby Halliday Family To Your Family... Donna shared with me the passing of your husband and your father of your children. My heart and sympathy goes out to you and your family. May God give you all the strength to forge forward after such a significant loss. God will carry you all, please believe. I too...lost my Father and Brother both to such a cancer (2) years apart. They are still with me through spirit, they are always with me and your loved one will be with you as well!! Barb B. Cole Barb Cole, March 31, 2010 Dear Family: Please know that you are in my prayers as you celebrate the life and legacy of this your husband, father, and son. Know that fond memories will keep him alive in your hearts and absent from you is present with the Lord. I shall keep you in my prayers. Sincerely, The Reverend Edith M. Shokes Post Office Box 4937 Atlanta, Georgia 30302 The Reverend Edith Mitchell Shokes, March 30, 2010 God bless your family. Cheryl Ann Davenport, March 30, 2010 I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the Alexander family. In these times there are no words to express the grief one feels. I have made a donation to the Tackle Cancer Foundation to help the fight against cancer. We all need to remain strong and continue to battle this disease on all fronts. Bertram Hughes, March 30, 2010 Rest In Peace Brother Alexander. My prayers are with you and your family. May God Bless you and your family. Howard Hughes, March 30, 2010 Dear Kim and boys: I don't know you personally, but my daughter Maggie McCarthy was in Evan's class at Tom Hicks. They are now students together at Arbor Creek. She came home today and told me your husband had passed. I wanted to send our thoughts and prayers to you and your son's. Maggie and I will send up a prayer this evening and know that we are thinking of you. Take care and have piece in the thought that he is in a better place. Sincerely, Fran and Maggie McCarthy Fran McCarthy, March 29, 2010 Elijah was a great man!! He was also a wonderful baseball coach with the North Texas Bombers! He will be missed dearly. Julie Martin, March 29, 2010 Eli, we will miss you. Your passion at the ballpark and dedication to your boys and Kim will be remembered fondly. I enjoyed all of our times together. May God bless Kim and the boys and all your family and give them peace and assurance that you have done Gods Calling well. Respectfully Mike Jeanette and Troy Davern Mike Davern, March 29, 2010 Rest In Peace Marcus L Mason, March 29, 2010 On behalf of the K-State alums here in the DFW area, we are so sorry for the loss of your husband, father, coach and friend. We followed his foundation work with great pride and used our alum network to spread the word. We will spread his name this last time, with much love and respect. Always a Wildcat! Audrey Elaine Mross, March 29, 2010 I have great and sometimes comical memories of Elijah at KSU. It was always clear to me that he was destined to accomplish great things and it apparent that he has done just that. His family will certainly be in our family's prayers. God Bless, Brooks Barta Holton, KS Brooks Barta, March 29, 2010 The entire Alexander Family is in our thoughts and prayers. We pray for the continued strength of Kim, the boys, Eli's mother and his whole family. Isaac and Lourdes Hilliard, March 29, 2010 Kim I am at a lose for words. I never met your husband personally. But, have read all the beautiful stories about him. I pray for comfort and peace for you and your family. Remember when life gets too hard to stand.......KNEEL. I Love you and let me know if there's anything in the future I can do for you. Devaney Talese Glenn, March 28, 2010 You and your family are in my prayes. God be with you and give you strenght. Charlotte Heath Howard, March 28, 2010
