- Date Of Birth: December 25, 1925
- Date Of Death: December 20, 2009
- State: New Mexico
Robert Porter Alexander, 83, of Deming, died Sunday December 20, 2009 while residing at St Joseph’s Health and Retirement Center in Ojai, CA, from respiratory illness.
Robert was born on December 25, 1925 in Las Cruces, the son of the late James and Ruby Head Alexander. A beloved brother to 2 sisters, Gladys (deceased) and Opal, and 7 brothers, Don, Bill, Byron, Jay (deceased), Charlie (deceased) George (deceased) and Andrew (deceased).
Following his graduation from Las Cruces High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served 18 months on the U.S.S ATR 72 Rescue Vessel during WW II. After battling a typhoon off the Philippine Islands that claimed several ships in his fleet, Robert earned a commendation for helping save his ship by keeping the engines functioning. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Following the war, Robert enrolled in New Mexico State University, where he met his beloved wife of 53 years, Joan Colleen Russell, of Fredrick, Oklahoma (deceased in 2000). They were married Nov. 7, 1947 in Las Cruces. Robert graduated in 1950, where he received a B.S. Degree in business. In 1951, during the Korean War, Robert continued service to his country by enlisting in the U.S. Army after completing ROTC at the university. He served his Lieutenant ranking as an assistant attorney to the Adjunct Generals Office in Ft. Bliss, TX. He received an honorable discharge in 1952.
After moving to Deming in 1954, Robert and Joan raised 4 sons, Dennis (deceased in 1995), Steve, Mark and Lynn, all graduates from Deming High School. Also during this time he opened and operated the United Department Store. He later purchased Donaldson’s Inc. in 1963, and Alexander’s Dept. Store in Silver City, in 1966. Robert retired upon the sale of his business in 1977.
He was a long time member of both the Masons and Shriners organizations. During his service as a Shriner, he achieved honorable appointment as Ambassador, Potentate’s Aide and Chairman of Shriners Crippled Children’s Committee for 25 years. His diligent recommendations for the caring of children in need changed numerous lives. Through the care of the Shriners Hospital network, charitable cost free medical care is given. His life’s motto, as well as the Shriners, was “No Man Stands So Tall as When He Stoops to Help a Crippled Child”.
Robert is survived by his daughter-in-law Carol, widow of Dennis of NY; 3 sons Steve and wife Gay of Oak View, CA; Mark of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and Lynn and wife Kelly of Denver, CO; 7 grandchildren, Justin, Russell, Candice, John, Jason, Kristin, Melissa; 2 great-grandchildren, Haley and Hudson; 3 brothers, Don and wife Jo; Bill and wife Barbra and Byron and wife Carol and sister Opal and brother-in-law Sam Russell of Ohio.
