John Henry Alexander Sr.

Deacon John H. Alexander, Sr. was born February 8, 1929 in Lexington, MS to Peter Alexander Sr. and Lizzie (Redmond) Alexander.

In 1952, he found his true love, Louise (Coats) Alexander and married in Preston, MN. They raised a family of two daughters and one son. The couple also raised two granddaughters as their own and provided a nurturing and loving home for 17 foster children. He was a dedicated family man.

Deacon Alexander was employed in the Foundry Department and retired from John Deere Waterloo Works in September 1987, after 40 years of service.

Deacon Alexander was baptisted in Lexington, MS at an early age. He joined Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church January, 1949. As a faithful servant, he served on many auxiliaries: Deacon Board (oldest Deacon), Choir No. 1, Male Chorus, Brotherhood, Nurse Aide, Church Van Driver etc. Anytime the church doors swung open he was there serving God and passing out candy. Deacon Alexander loved his church home.

Deacon Alexander had a ministry of mentoring to young men in their personal and Christian life. He shared not only his wisdom but also his time.

Deacon Alexander embraced people and shared his interesting life stories to many.

Deacon Alexander was a avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting but loved fishing and catching snapping turtles. He was affectionately called the “Turtle Man”. His biggest joy was giving his “catch of today” away to people throughout the community. He also was a great gardener and sometimes maintained two gardens at one time-giving away the harvest.

Deacon Alexander served his community donating 12 units of blood for 20 years as a Red Cross blood donor and as a member of the St. John Masonic Lodge.

Deacon Alexander was a good man.

Deacon John H. Alexander, Sr., 93, transitioned peacefully to his heavenly home, Sunday, May 29, 2022 at Unitypoint Health-Allen Hospital with his loving daughter Judi at his bedside.

He leaves to cherish his memory: three daughters, Ja’Net Alexander of University Park, IL, Judi Bush of Glenwood, IL and Perrine Alexander of Waterloo, IA, two sons John Jr. of Fairburns, GA and Leonard Baskerville of SanBernardino, CA; three grand daughters, LaSonya Alexander of Atlanta, GA, Autumn Alexander of Fairburns, GA, and Lenora (Robert) Vinson of Victorville, CA; one great grand daughter, Sharia Cook of Lake Mary, FL; four brothers Whacky Alexander, Willie James Alexander, Floyd Raymond Alexander (Mary) and Lee Andrew Alexander; and seven sisters, Mary D. Alexander, Delphine Alexander Mitchell (Dr. E. E.), Geraldine Alexander, Linda Lee Alexander, Mary Alexander Rodgers, Doris Alexander Patrick, Angie Alexander, great great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Deacon Alexander was preceded in death by his parents; two grandsons, Ontrell Bush and John Alexander III; grand daughter Sarita Alexander; great granddaughter Da’jae Cook; five brothers; Willie B. Alexander, Peter Alexander Jr., Jerry Alexander, Robert “Sonny” Alexander and Robert Lee Alexander, and four sisters; Ruth Alexander White, Margaret Alexander, Beatrice Alexander Ross and Thelma Alexander.

Services: 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 11, 2022 Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, Waterloo. Visitation: 4 PM to 7 PM Friday, June 10th, 2022 at Locke at Tower Park, Waterloo and also, for one hour prior to services at the church.