James Rodger Alexander

With deep sadness we announce the passing of James Rodger Alexander, beloved husband, father, artist, architect, teacher, mentor, and friend. After a 14-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease and the accompanying dementia James passed away peacefully at his home on January 8, 2025. Born February 9, 1945, in Bedford, Ohio he is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Pamela Venz; children Colin Alexander (Sarah Labriola) and Sean Alexander; grandchildren Charlotte Hyde and Francis Alexander; sister-in-law Beverly Alexander, sister-in-law Teresa Venz-Williamson, in-laws Floyd and Susan Doss, nieces PJ Godwin and Brittany Noojin, nephews Kyle Williamson, Brody Williamson, Phillp Doss, and Adam Doss, and great nephew Nicholas Godwin. He was preceded in death by his parents Rodger E. Alexander and Kathryn Knappenberger Alexander, his brother David Alexander, and his nephew Christopher Alexander.

He entered Cornell University in 1963 earning his Bachelor of Architecture/Architectural Design degree in 1968. Spending Cornell’s required 5th year experience living and working in New York City gave James a love of travel and adventure. During a time of major social and political upheaval he was impacted by the work of Father Daniel Berrigan, who traveled to Birmingham in 1984 to officiate at the wedding of James and Pamela. In the summer of 1965, he worked doing voter registration in Mississippi with other Cornell students. Taking a sabbatical from his studies he moved to Italy in 1968 to visually engage with Italian architecture and gain new cultural experiences. He returned to Cornell in 1969 and completed his Master of Architecture in Urban Design in 1971. He began working for the firm of Levatich Miller Hoffman PC Architects and Planners in Ithaca, NY and in 1972 he had the opportunity to design the Ithaca residence of the astronomer Carl Sagan under the supervision of John C. Miller. While his love of architecture continued throughout his life, he became disillusioned with its business aspects and shifted his energies to ceramics. He earned his Master of Fine Arts, Ceramics/Sculpture degree in 1976 from Louisiana State University, while simultaneously teaching as a Special Lecturer in Architecture. After completing his MFA, he moved to Illinois where he spent one year as Instructor of Art, Ceramics at Joliet Junior College and one year as a Visiting Artist and Instructor in Art, Ceramics/Sculpture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1978 he accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to create a ceramic sculpture program and began his 40-year career at UAB teaching sculpture and ceramic sculpture ultimately retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2018. In 2010 he was awarded the Excellence in Career Teaching Award from the Southeast College Art Conference (SECAC). His students remember James as a demanding and uncompromising teacher but also a supportive and generous mentor. He positively impacted the lives of hundreds of students and young artists.

James was an award-winning sculptor with hundreds of juried, invitational, solo, and group exhibitions in regional, national, and international venues over the course of his career. In addition to his creative scholarship, his research in art history, art theory, the history of architectural terra cotta in both Chicago and Birmingham, and in popular culture resulted in published articles and conference presentations across the country. His scholarship garnered grant support from: the National Endowment for the Arts 1980 & 1985, the Alabama State Council on the Arts 1986 & 1992, The Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts 1987, The Canadian Center for Architecture 1987, the Alabama Humanities Foundation 1995, as well as numerous Faculty Research and Travel Grants from UAB.

In addition to his academic and creative work, James served as a Distinguished Visiting Critic and Program Consultant for the Auburn Center for Architecture and Urban Studies, Birmingham 1992-2000, as Architectural Consultant for The McWane Center Science Museum, Birmingham1995-99, and as a Contracted Consultant [with Franklin Setzer] through the city of Birmingham for the project Re-visioning Birmingham: Master Plan for the Development of the Railway Reservation 1997-99.

Of all his accomplishments, however, James’ greatest sense of pride, deepest affection, and devotion lie with his two sons, Colin and Sean and his wife Pamela. No obituary can capture his contributions as a father, husband, and uncle. This wonderful, complicated man will be greatly missed. Funeral Mass will be held Friday January 17, 2025, at The Cathedral of Saint Paul at 10:00 a.m. with visitation from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Space One Eleven Arts Center, Birmingham, or Sloss Metal Arts, Birmingham.