Howard Alexander

Howard L. Alexander, 74, of Jackson died Monday, April 17, 2017, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, due to complications from a fall he experienced April 7, 2017.

He was born Aug. 18, 1942, in Paducah, Kentucky, the youngest son of Edward and Olear McChristian Alexander. He married Sherron Slusmeyer Aug. 14, 1965.

Howard graduated from Heath High School in Paducah in 1961 and from Murray State University in 1965 with a degree in elementary education. He received a master's degree in school administration from Murray State in 1968. He taught school in Festus, Missouri, from 1965 to 1970. He was an elementary-school principal with the Jackson School District from 1970 to 1986 and was business manager from 1986 until he retired from the field of education in 1995. He then got his license as a real-estate sales associate and worked out of the office of Century 21 Ashland Realty of Cape Girardeau from 1996 until his death. He found great satisfaction in selling homes to former students.

Howard's civic organizations include being a former member and president of the Jackson Rotary Club, active member on the board of directors of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross, United Way and Jackson Jaycees, where he served as local president, district director, and was Jaycees state vice president when Missouri marched No. 1 in the Parade of States in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Howard was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church, where he served as former chairman of the Pastor--Parish Relations Committee, and other leadership positions. He was chairman of the Hospitality Team at the South Campus location at the time of his death.

He is survived by his wife, Sherron Alexander of Jackson; a son, Todd (Debra) Alexander, and three granddaughters, Casey (Brandon) Kuehn, Maria (fiance Brendan Adams) Popp and Payton Alexander, all of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. David Israel and the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Paducah.

Memorials may be made to New McKendree United Methodist Church or to Jackson R-2 School Foundation.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.