Richard L. Alexander

Richard L. Alexander, 90, of Warren, died Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Shepherd of the Valley in Howland. He was born March 26, 1919 in Warren, the son of Walter and Ada (Goodman) Alexander. After living and working in Northeast Ohio for most of his life, he and his wife retired to Stuart, Florida in 1982 to enjoy boating, fishing, and sunshine. They moved back to Warren in 2000.

A graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, Mr. Alexander attended North Carolina State University before enlisting in the Army Air Corps, in which he served from 1941-1945, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. He was a B-26 bomber pilot who flew 68 missions, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Clusters, and an Air Medal.

After the war, he attended the University of Dayton, worked for GE Supply Company in industrial sales and the Jackson-Bailey Electric Company in Canton, and retired as owner and president of Cleveland Power Equipment Corporation.

A member of First United Methodist Church of Warren, where he sang in the choir and was chairman of the music committee, he was a former member of the Warren Rotary Club. He served on the board of directors for the Warren YMCA and the Riverland Condominium Association in Florida, and belonged to the Warren Amateur Radio Association, having been an avid ham radio operator most of his life. He was licensed as W8TWO in 1954.

Surviving are his son, Dennis (Nancy) Alexander of Warren; two granddaughters: Kimberly (Michael) Antonelli and Jennifer (John) Metz; two grandsons: Jeffrey Alexander and Daniel Shaffer; and two great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his parents; his wife, Martha "Marty" (Byrnes) Alexander, whom he married November 28, 1942 and who died February 10, 2009; a daughter, Judith Shaffer; and a brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Marion Alexander.

A memorial service will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010 at First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Rick Oaks officiating. Full military honors will be conferred following the service. Friends may call 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. Material contributions may be made either to First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481, or to Celtic Healthcare of Northeast Ohio, Hospice Unit, 3530 Belmont Ave., Suite 7, Youngstown, Ohio 44505.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral and Cremation Services, 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.