Mark Clement Alexander

Mark was born in 1954 in Detroit Michigan, part of a bustling community in Detroit’s west side. The oldest of four children, Mark graduated from Cody High School in 1972, and later from Central Michigan University. In his 20s, Mark began dating the love of his life, Carol Cotter, who grew up around the block from him in Detroit. They eventually married and moved to Dearborn, having two daughters (Colette and Elizabeth). The family moved to Ann Arbor in 1994.

Mark held many occupations during his life: pipe fitter, auto mechanic, service and parts manager, warranty analyst, and director. In his retirement he even joined a small tech startup in Ann Arbor to support their business development.

Mark was also an accomplished musician. He played many instruments, but guitar stood out as a favorite. Until the 1990s, Mark was the lead guitarist for the Chevelles, a Detroit-based rockabilly band that played regularly at some of the best venues in Southeastern Michigan: Lili’s, Alvin’s, Reruns, The Blind Pig, St. Andrew’s Hall, and the Boblo Boat. Later he joined the Rockabilly Cats with whom he also performed at some of the Detroit-areas most prolific venues, even opening for Carl Perkins.

He continued his musical interests later in adulthood, studying cello alongside his daughter, Colette. He never missed a jam session and could often be found hosting family and friends at his house in Ann Arbor. He engineered and built guitar effects pedals during his retirement, which he sometimes sold, but often gave away to fellow musicians.

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Joan (née Hively) and Donald Alexander. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Cotter, his daughters Elizabeth (Anthony Ajagbe) and Colette (Eric Humphrey), his grandchildren Maria Ajagbe and Guinevere and Elvis Humphrey, and his three sisters Suzanne Alessandri, Donna Alexander and Julie de la Moriniere.