James Lee Alexander

James Lee Alexander of Charlotte/Wadesboro lived his life to the fullest. After 75 years, his time here on Earth came to an end. He fought his battle with cancer until the very last days, always reminding us that our time should be spent enjoying loved ones and all that life has to offer.

JIMMY, a native Charlottean, grew up in and around Matthews/Mint Hill with his paternal grandparents’ names memorialized into the naming of Alexander and Rea Roads. He attended Matthews/Bain Schools and on to East Mecklenburg in the late 50’s where he enjoyed music, singing in a popular quartet, The Tones; with keys to the school auditorium to manage sound for everything from high school musicals to the Charlotte Symphony – even helping with development and construction of the 1st Singing Christmas Tree at Ovens Auditorium. He also met his wife, Becky Grant, through the school chorus and went on to have three little blonde girls – Paulette, Kris and Elaine.

JIM held several engineering positions over the years as well as going out on his own to invent many types of machinery from a tobacco harvester, to an in-home vacuum system, and later, a universal adaptor used in the textile industry. Crafting a needed device from an idea in his head gave him great joy.

“GRAMPA” JIMMY happened in 1986, with the arrival of his first grandchild. He was the jovial, fun grandfather that many only dream of having. Four more grandchildren came and while his involvement varied with each one, there was no doubt he was their cheerleader. He never turned down an opportunity to watch a “show”, be in the audience for a performance, babysit, go camping or be first at the hospital when needed.

A few years back he retired to what he referred to as his “sandbox” in Wadesboro away from the noise of the city. A severe motorcycle accident at age 68, jolted his active lifestyle. Amazingly he recovered. He had been “living the life!” up until then, traveling all over the country, experiencing awesome adventures, bull-dozing, four-wheeling, white water rafting, always camping and enjoying the outdoors. His new friends in Wadesboro made his last few year’s ones we knew he would always treasure and his family is very appreciative of this.

The loss of his best friend, Bobby Davis, at 15 was an emotional scar that never fully healed and the loss of his brother Carlton also reshaped his ideas on death and dying. The family appreciates what those impressionable losses did for how he lived his final cancer-ridden days, allowing everyone to spend quality time together and express their love.

Surviving are three daughters, Paulette Austin of Charlotte, Kris Wortman and husband, James, of Wilmington, and Elaine Sapp and husband, Scott, of Kernersville; two brothers, Julian Vann Alexander and wife, Carol, of Texas and Eddie Alexander of Charlotte. He is preceded in death by his brother, Carlton, and will be greatly missed by six grandchildren, three nephews and two nieces.

A memorial service to celebrate Jimmy’s life will be held 2:00 pm Sunday, September 14, at McEwen Funeral Service, Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Mint Hill. Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to The Int’l Dyslexia Assoc. www.interdys.org.

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, Mint Hill, NC.