THE FATHER of our classmate BRUCE McALEXANDER passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 14, at Pikes Peak Christian Church located at 4955 Bradley Road (about four blocks East of Main Street and Bradley Road) in Security. Founded in 1956, the church met in a small house on Morningside Drive and later built its first facility on land purchased on Aspen drive. In 2001 the church moved to the Bradley Road location, where it has been located to this day.
The longtime patriarch of the McAlexander family, Mr. McAlexander had been the Certified Public Accountant for many of our classmates’ parents and their descendants for several decades. Our classmate Marcia Hagans Allin’s husband, Jerry Allin, worked at the McAlexander accounting office for many years. Bruce’s mother passed away almost three years ago (July 2013).
In his brief note to me on Wednesday night, March 9, Bruce wrote the following about the death of his father:
“He had chosen to go off dialysis after being in the hospital for a few days. It made it easier that he made the decision. We’re okay with many tears and that is good. I’ve always been more concerned when the tears don’t flow.”
The longtime family friend, Trish Reishus, deserves praise for having been Mr. McAlexander’s caregiver the past few years. In the 1950s up until the mid-1960s, the Reishus family were neighbors of the McAlexander family when they lived on Rose Drive in Security.
In his September 2011 “Security Reflections” article that is still posted in the “Bruce’s Updates” section of our class website, Bruce wrote the following in reference to his father being only 19 years old while flying bomber planes toward the end of World War II:
“As a child, I was oblivious to what my dad had gone through in those bombers. I enjoyed his stories for the most part, but had no idea what he must have felt each time taking off on another mission as such a young man. He was nineteen when flying in those bombers during World War II. His crew had been shot down more than once, but they made it back across to the Ally lines. All of our parents had their stories, including our moms even if they were still home doing whatever was necessary to keep the families together with so many of the men overseas during that war or the Korean war, which had just ended a few years earlier before moving to Security. Ronnie Petty’s mom and dad were caring for the wounded on a ship, where apparently their romance continued despite the war going on. Ken Loveless’s dad was in the Pacific flying fighter planes. There we were as kids, at least Bruce was, running the neighborhood and not being very aware of what so many had done or had been through just a few years earlier.”
Please join me in extending condolences to the McAlexander family. Although it has been my longtime policy not to publicize street addresses and email addresses in the updates that are broadcast by me, Bruce’s street address was repeatedly listed (with his permission) in all monthly updates leading up to the historic 45-year reunion in 2011. Therefore, his street address once again will be posted in this update. People who would like to send a hard-copy card may do so at the following address:
McAlexander Family
141 Spencer
Manitou Springs CO 80829
People can also extend condolences through the online guest book that will be posted between now and April 10. If you want to send condolences via the online guest book, click here!
Listed below is the obituary about Mr. McAlexander.
Respectfully submitted,
Donnie Martinez
Known at WHS by stepfather’s surname Collier
Martinez is my birth certificate and legal surname
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Obituary in Gazette newspaper 3/11/16
Charles J. McAlexander was born on August 3, 1925 on a farm South of Holly, Colorado, the son of John and Minnie McAlexander. He died on March 9, 2016 in Security, Colorado. In between, he lived a life of grace, joy, and purpose. Charles brought delight and found success in every task and endeavor.
While still in high school, he fell in love with Bonnie Jean Miller, and they were married on October 23, 1943 in Hayes, Kansas. Shortly after marrying Bonnie, he joined the US Army Air Corp where he flew in B17 Bombers from 1944 until the end of the war. This was the beginning of a remarkable lifetime partnership, as he traveled with her from base to base, as he prepared for war, and after his return from Europe, he worked beside her building businesses, growing their family, strengthening churches, sustaining deep friendships, caring for others and finding joy in every circumstance.
Bonnie and Charles moved to Security, Colorado in 1956 where he started his accounting practice. He continued working as an accountant until his retirement. Charles was active in the community in many ways, whether it was serving as an elder at his church or cheering on the local high school teams. He was a person of abiding faith and trusted Jesus to carry him through every adversity.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bonnie McAlexander, and his brother Harold Lee McAlexander. Charles is survived by his children Claudia (Bill) Newth of Holyoke, Colorado, Bruce McAlexander of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Charla (Eric) Bogren of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also survived by grandchildren: Tammy Gillis, Renee Cinkosky, Lance Phair, Crystal Lopez, Melissa Thomson, and Charles McAlexander; and by great-grandchildren: Nicles Long, Taylor Phair, Ashlyn Phair, Katelin Lopez, Christopher Lopez, Haylea Lopez, Scarlett Enriquez, Ty Thomson and Jake Thomson. He is also survived by Trish Reishus, who cared for him in these last years. He leaves behind a host of friends and will be deeply missed.
A memorial service is planned for Monday, March 14, at 1:00 at Pikes Peak Christian Church, 4955 Bradley Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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