John W. Alexander

John W. “Jack” Alexander, 76, of Dowagiac, MI, passed away Thursday, March 2, 2017, at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center St., Dowagiac, with military rites conducted by the Dowagiac VFW and the Marine Corp.  A private burial will held at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Dowagiac. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans. Those wishing to sign Jack’s Memory Book online may do so at www.clarkch.com. Jack was born on April 29, 1940, in Los Angeles, CA to John and Rose Alexander. He graduated from Middleton Senior High School in 1958. Jack enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. on January 13, 1959, and proudly served his country. He truly believed in God, Corp and Country. Jack owned the Farm Bureau Insurance Agency in Niles, MI. from 1972 until his retirement in 1999. On July 1, 1994, he married Kaye Angle at their home in Dowagiac. Jack was a member of the Dowagiac Moose Lodge #933, the NRA, the Marine Corp. Association and a lifetime member of the Dowagiac Elks Lodge #889. He also served on the Dowagiac City Council for ten years. Jack was very active in the Jaycees club and during the early 70’s helped start the Rocket Football program. He had a passion for sports, whether it was coaching Rocket Football, playing softball, manning the chains for the Dowagiac High school football games, hunting or fishing. He was a larger than life man with a tough exterior but with a teddy bear heart. Jack is survived by his children, Chimene (Frank Galan) of Austin, TX. and Paul Alexander of Phoenix, AZ; step-children, Jill (Mark) Hunsberger of Auburn, AL. and Greg (Becky) of Harrisburg, NC; grandchildren, Leanne Dragoo, Shelby Dragoo, Annette Alexander, Briana (Matthew) Myles, Braxton Hunsberger, Griffin Aldrich, Lauren Aldrich and Julia Aldrich; great-grandson, Hunter Myles; sister, Carol Shipman of Davenport, FL; and the mother of his children Karen S. Alexander. Jack was preceded in death by his wife Kaye on June 7, 2004.