Deacon Richard John Alexander Obituary (1934 - 2015)

Deacon Richard (Dick) John ALEXANDER Born July 11, 1934 in Seattle: died January 30, 2015 also in Seattle. Survived by his children, Alexis Zolner, Steve Alexander (Yvonne), and Gina Alexander; grandchildren Caresse, Ryan (Serena), Marc, Adam and Nathan; brothers Roger (Marietta), Robert and Roy (Sue); a very large extended family and many friends. Preceded in death in 2013 by Constance Duyck Alexander, his loving wife of over 50 years and his sister Lucille Bettis. Dad grew up in Ballard, attended St. Alphonsus School, Seattle Prep, O'Dea High School and Seattle University. He married Mom in 1956 and they spent their honeymoon driving down to Fort Ord so that Dad could report back to the base. When his three years were up, they returned to Seattle and eventually bought a house in Ballard coincidently one block away from the house Dad grew up in. Dad decided to run for the Seattle School Board and served from 1969 to 1983. The Board was mandated to desegregate the schools and in his early years, we experienced picketing and burning of large crosses at the house. Dad was awarded the Seattle Urban League Edwin T. Pratt Award for 1971 for taking extraordinary steps and displaying considerable courage to eliminate racial isolation in Seattle's public schools. Later Dad worked hard to provide special education for children needing that extra level of assistance and was recognized by the Washington State Special Education Coalition for bringing this issue to the forefront in Seattle. After the School Board, Dad studied to become a Permanent Catholic Deacon and served at St. Alphonsus and Guadalupe for close to 30 years. Dad served 20 years Chairman for Selective Service for Washington, 15 years Chaplain for the Young Ladies Institute, 10 years as Chaplain for Legion of Mary, 35 years with the Knights of Columbus and 7 years as the president of Birthright. With his 40 years retirement from Boeing, he and Mom traveled quite a bit and lived part time in Indio. They were great parents and we will miss them. Recitation of the Rosary will be Thursday, February 5 at 6 PM and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, February 6 at 10:30 AM BOTH at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Hoffner Fisher & Harvey Guest book at harveyfuneral.com To send a flower arrangement in memory of Deacon Richard John Alexander, please click here to visit our sympathy store.