James Lorenzo Alexander, age 88, passed away June 2, 2018 at the Villa Lincoln Park Nursing Home, in Racine, Wisconsin.  He was born on June 26, 1930 in Tuskegee, Alabama, to Alonzo and Mimia (nee: Fort) Alexander who both preceded him in death.  James was talented in doing anything he set out to do.  He was skilled in electronics and mechanics.  He could make electrical sockets for anything.  He loved to read encyclopedias from beginning to end.  He was self-taught and could do things one had to go to school for.  James could give you an answer to things we did not know.  He retired from J.I. Case on February 1, 1983 after 35 years of dedicated service.

Just ask "Be-Bop."  James earned the name "Be-Bop" from winning a "Be-Bop" dance contest.  He especially love old school jazz music; for example, John Coltrane.  James loved to play his tenor saxophone. He was a season ticket holder for the jazz series concerts Animal Crackers at the Racine Zoo. He also attended Pancake Day every year. James enjoyed going to eat at senior citizen lunch with his sister Lola and friends at the King Center where he also enjoyed shooting pool with "The fellas".  He loved to fish and camp up North on a boat in the Michigan waters with his children.  James was a father figure to his children as well as his nieces, Lisa Thomas, Lana Schantl and Carla (Darrin) Ward. He made sure that he never missed any of their special days, which included Birthdays, sporting events and whatever else was going on their lives.

James was blessed with his children:  James David "Jimmy" Alexander who passed away April 25, 2018, Raymond (Godette) Alexander of Atlanta, GA and Joy L. Alexander who passed June, 25, 2016 and D'Yanna Alexander of Memphis, TN.  James had two brothers that preceded him in death; Emory C. Fort and Edgar Ellington both were from New Jersey.  He also had three sisters.  Delores (Saul) Johnson of Cleveland, OH, Lola B. Thomas-Haliburton of Racine, WI, and Loretta Hendrickson who preceded him in death from Morris Town, NJ.  James had many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.  He also had many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews. He will be missed terribly by his many special friends and family.

Visitation will be in care of Draeger- Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Monday, June 11, 2018 from 4:00 to 6:00pm.  Burial services will be on Thursday, June 14, 2018, 1:00pm at Graceland Cemetery, please meet the family at the front gates.

Service Details

When: Monday, June 11, 2018 Visitation – 4:00 – 6PM

Location: Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home Chapel, 4600 County Line Road, Racine, WI 53403

Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists