Leon Alexander

Leon Alexander, age 92, of Roswell passed peacefully at his son's home September 27, 2016 in the presence of family members. Leon Alexander will lie-instate for viewing 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Friday September 30, 2016 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be held 10:00 AM Saturday October 1, 2016 at West Country Club Road Church of Christ. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. Doug Austin will be officiating. Military Honors rendered by the Roswell Veterans Honor Guard.

Leon was born to Ben and Bertha Alexander, July 22, 1924 in Turkey, Texas. Leon is survived by his run away war bride, Frances "Spunky", whom he married on August 13, 1944 while in "boot camp" at Camp Barkley, Abilene, Texas. Though they had met and dated in Portales, New Mexico, there marriage was discouraged due to the war. Despite being told that the marriage would never last, Frances picked beans to earn bus fare to Abilene and left home to be with her soon to be husband and life's companion of over 72 years. The couple lived on a porch, converted to a one room apartment, sharing what time they could with what time was allotted through his official furloughs, and the "hole in the fence at camp." The hole in the fence was well known by all of the newly married soldiers, as well as most of the commanders and military police, but conveniently overlooked. Leon was deployed to Okinawa in the South Pacific, as a combat medic and ambulance driver in what is described by World War II historians as the bloodiest battle of the war. After the war, Leon returned to the profession that had been relegated to him in his 5th grade of school during the depression years, as a truck driver for his dad. Leon helped his family survive those years, and learned a trade that would stay with him for the rest of his life. As a truck owner operator, he maintained and drove his own trucks so was able to fairly accurately estimate his miles driven at an astonishing three to four million miles, give or take a few hundred thousand.

Leon was preceded in death by his oldest son Larry in May of 2000.

Leon's other survivors include, his sister Lou Alexander Stephens, his youngest son Darrel and wife Eva Alexander, three granddaughters, Kelly, Jenny, Mitzi, one grandson Travis, four great granddaughters, Jesse, Jamie, Laniey, Avery, one and a half great grandsons, Wyatt and Alex whom will be here in January. He is also survived by far too many to list, numbering between one and two hundred, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, all of whom he dearly loved.

Pallbearers Travis Walker, Jeremy Loman, Melvin Handy, Berry Wilhoit, Eddy Wilhoit, and Forest Metcalf.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel
900 South Main
Roswell, NM  88203

Service

Funeral Service

West Contry Club Road Church of Christ
700 W Country Club Rd
Roswell, NM  88201
Saturday, October 1, 2016
10 AM

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203