Funeral services for Richard Lee Alexander, 79 of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Chapel with Rev. Joe Wood officiating. Burial will follow in Alligator Cemetery.
Richard Lee Alexander, devoted Christian husband, father, grandfather, engineer, inventor, entrepreneur and patriot passed away Friday after a long difficult battle with lung and heart disease.
He was born May 2, 1936 in Morehouse, Missouri to Samuel Everett and Wilmetta Hemling Alexander. Richard grew up in the panhandle near Dumas. He attended Dumas High School and was an Eagle Scout. He was married to Billie Nell Alexander 44 years, raising three sons. He received a Mechanical Engineering Degree at Texas Tech University in 1959. Richard had a busy career as an engineer working for major firms such as JM Huber, Cabot Chemical, Ashland Oil and Dow Chemical Company. He was especially proud of the work he performed for the NASA Gemini Program. As his career matured, Richard went on to become a successful Sales Executive. During the early 90’s he developed employment programs for the Center for the Retarded in Houston and continued to give back to those in greatest need during his time in Athens. Even in his ill health, he donated his time and energy to those in the community who were reconstructing their lives following the ravages of drugs and alcohol. He was also a member of the Gideon’s and distributed many thousands of Bibles. Richard was an honest, hard-working man who was above all a disciple of Christ. A loving husband and father, Richard raised his family in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He will be sorely missed.
He is preceded in death by his youngest son Everett Aaron Alexander.
Survivors include his two oldest sons William Allan Alexander, M. D. and wife Arlene Elizabeth of Cary, North Carolina and Allan’s son Neill Brennan Alexander of Lubbock, Richard Andrew Alexander and wife Rose Mary of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Richard’s sons Andrew Emerson of Austin and Asher Noel Alexander of Houston, his youngest son’s children who he deeply cherished, Amber, Megan and Zachary Alexander of Austin. When Richard and Suzanne married in 2003 Richard became the proud step-father of two additional children, their spouses, five additional grandchildren and two great granddaughters: Kim Livingston and husband Gary of Athens and their children Chaz Vivion and wife Laura, Brittni Vivion and fiancé Tristan Warren, Kirstie Vivion; Chris McGill and wife Courtney of Durant, Oklahoma and their children Colin and Sydney. His most recent blessings were his two great granddaughters Ariyah Michelle Warren and Adisyn Grace Vivion.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 1:30 until service time at the funeral home.
You may leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle for the family at www.carroll-lehr.com.