James Alexander
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James Claude Alexander, Jr., passed away December 6, 2020 in Naples, Florida. He was 98 years of age and preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, June Boulogne Alexander. James is survived by cousins, Lou Ann Alexander Dendy and Jack Alexander.
The Alexander's resided in Fort Smith, Arkansas for many years before relocating to Naples, Florida. A memorial service at North Naples United Methodist Church will be scheduled in the coming days. Fuller Funeral Home in Naples, Florida will handle the arrangements and interment will be in the columbarium of North Naples United Methodist Church.
James Alexander was born August 17, 1922 to James C. Alexander and Ethel Rollyson Alexander. He graduated from Fort Smith Senior High School in 1939. James graduated from Princeton University with an AB Degree from the School of Public and International Affairs and a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering from the School of Engineering. While at Princeton, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After graduating from Princeton, James was employed by Tennessee Eastman Corporation. From there he went to work on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He volunteered to the US Navy in 1950 and received Commission as Lieutenant J.G. James also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was Civilian Aide for Arkansas to the Secretary of the Army from 1974 thru 1978. He received the Outstanding Citizen Service Award from the Department of the Army.
After working at Oak Ridge, James was employed by Eastman Kodak Company. Later during his career he became the CEO and Director of Merchants National Bank and an owner and President of Revere Corporation.
The Alexander's were members of First United Methodist Church in Fort Smith where James taught a Sunday school class for many years. After relocating to Naples, Florida, they attended the North Naples United Methodist Church.
While residing in Fort Smith and Naples, James Alexander was very involved with civic and charitable activities. He served as President of: Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club, Fort Smith Exchange Club, and the Fort Smith Public Library Board. He also served as a Director of Sparks Regional Medical Center for 25 years and as a Director of the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club for 58 years. James served as Trustee of: Evans Foundation, Rosalie Tilles Children's Home Foundation, Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club Foundation, Speer Foundation, Old Fort Museum, Mount Magazine Girl Scout Foundation, University of Arkansas Fort Smith Foundation, Girl's Inc. Foundation, and Sparks Foundation. James Alexander served on the Committee which wrote the first Zoning Plan for Fort Smith.
On January 16, 1993 James Alexander was inducted into the Fort Smith Boys Club Alumni Association Hall of Fame and former Mayor Ray Baker proclaimed that date as Jim Alexander Day. The Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club and youth of Fort Smith were dear to James and June Alexander and they created the Jim and June Alexander Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club Scholarship Fund.
Memorials may be sent to the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club Scholarship Fund care of First National Bank, Fort Smith, Arkansas.