Joseph Alexander of McKinney, Texas a Jack of all trades who never knew a stranger. Joe “Papa”, “Dad”, and “the love of Elaine’s life” was a strong and uplifting man. He went to be with his heavenly Father on October 26, 2021. The last 2 years have had their shares of struggles for Joe and he courageously addressed each one head on. In 2019, Joe was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was not discouraged and never gave up through his multiple treatments. He coined the phrase “I can’t go around it, over it or under it, so I have to go through it.” He is now safe in the arms of Jesus after a very spirited and well fought 23-month battle.
Though he is no longer with us, we will all cherish and remember him in our own ways. To sum up Joe’s life we would need volumes of books and multitudes of testimonials from the people that he touched. Joe was always on the go, always being the person to get things done. He proudly served in the United States Navy as a boatswain's mate, was deployed overseas during the Vietnam War, and received a handful of medals for his service. Joe worked for Scottish Rite Hospital for 40 years, his colleagues, staff, and friends called him “the expert.” He knew every inch of the hospital grounds and all who worked there, even the vendors who serviced the hospital, were his close friends. He started his career off as a telecommunicationist and eventually bore the title Director of Engineering and Grounds. He mentored and led many people during his time at Scottish Rite. There was never anything that Joe couldn’t do or a problem he couldn’t solve, and he was always happy to be of service to those that asked. Joe was also a member of the Knox-Corinthian Masonic Lodge #851 where his closest friends became like family.
Joe could always be heard listening to the Eagles as he enjoyed classic rock. In his leisure time he liked golf, playing the guitar, appreciated most genres of music and concerts, loved his Jack Russell Terrier – Rascal, visited car shows and liked working on cars; he loved working alongside his son, Kyle on any project, and was always excited to spend time with family. The last project will be completed in memory of Joe, a 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 that he was so proud to acquire to build with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Alexander of 41 years of McKinney, Texas; son, Kyle and wife, Courtney of Hurst, Texas; sister, Angela and husband, Charles Hood of Frisco, Texas; grandchildren, Lila and Colton Alexander; and numerous other loving family and friends.
Joe was preceded in death by his son, Jacob Joseph Alexander; brother, Johnny Dale Alexander; and parents, John Floyd and Vanna Laverne Alexander.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, November 4, 2021 at Turrentine -Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. Interment will be held at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
The service will be livestreamed at https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/joseph-alexander.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to PANCAN.org or directly to the family in honor or memory of Joseph Alexander.