Born in Ankeny, Iowa to Frank and Mildred Alexander, Jim grew up in Des Moines, Iowa until he finished high school and joined the U.S. Army. He served in many foreign lands including Korea, France, Germany, Okinawa, and Greenland. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Army he spent a short time in Long Beach, California and then moved to Portland, Oregon where he remained until his death. Jim was a Teamster long-haul driver with millions of miles on the road. He is survived by his sons James Richard Alexander (wife Tina), and John Alexander, both of Portland. He is also survived by his brother John L. Alexander (wife Kristine) of Hollister, Missouri.
Jim enjoyed his retired life by working and playing with his many friends at the Oregon Military Vehicle Preservation Association. They were family to him.