Claude Alexander, 89, died in his home in Denison at around 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 17.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Mike and Rosemary Alexander of Denison, grandson and granddaughter-in-law Michael and Molly Alexander and great-grandchildren Nicholas, Hailey and Mason Alexander of Olathe, Kan., grandson Ernest Tutt of Seattle, Wash.; sisters Betty Lou Burns of Denison, and Dorothy Lou Ray of Carrollton; sister-in-law Darlene Alexander of Las Vegas; former wife Nita Alexander; stepchildren Kathy Piazza mother of Micah Porter and Nathan Porter, Gary Shuhart and Lane Roach. He also leaves several extended family members and his best friend, his dog Sandy.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father Mary Lou and Claude Eugene Alexander, brother Billie Paul Alexander, and first wife and great friend Mary Anna Alexander.
Claude served in the 36th Infantry Division during World War II's longest campaign, Operation Avalanche - the first American thrust onto the European continent, starting with the landing at Salerno, Italy. He spent a majority of his life in sales, more than 30 years in real estate in the Allen, Plano, McKinney, Sherman and Denison areas. He was an active member at Parkside Baptist Church in Denison. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America for more than 50 years serving as committee chairman, assistant scoutmaster and scoutmaster in Amarillo and Denison.
Most importantly, Claude was a man who believed in living life to its fullest, always being the life of the party. Never being without a humorous comment, he always put a smile on people's faces. He loved to travel the world and dance. In the past several years he and his close friend Dorothy Hedgecoxe danced together at the Sherman Municipal Building on Wednesdays and Fridays with the Sherman Senior Dance Club and went to church together at Parkside.
He blessed our family with his love and wisdom for almost 90 years. He touched so many lives in his time here with us and will always be remembered.
A special thanks goes out to our good friend Brad Dueringer for taking such great care of Claude over the last couple of months especially in these last few days of his life. We could not have done it without him.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 2009 at Parkside Baptist Church with Dr. Chet Haney officiating burial in Friendship Cemetery in Sherman. Family will receive friends from 7 -8 p.m. Monday at Bratcher Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Michael Alexander, Nicholas Alexander, Brad Dueringer, Ernest Tutt, Daniel McGee, Gary Schuhart, and Hikmat Douedari.
Arrangements by Bratcher Funeral Home, 401 W. Woodard, Denison.