James Winifred Alexander

James (Jim) Winifred Alexander was born June 23, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan and passed away on August 12, 2017 in Show Low, Arizona. This is my obituary. I had a sister named Joyce that was 7 years older than me, and a brother named Rodger that was 3 years younger than me. I didn’t know my sister very well. My brother on the other hand was a lot of fun and I loved him dearly. I was pretty average; average height, average weight, average looks and average brains. As a left handed middle child I did lack some self-esteem. And I did like to wander. Kids were pretty safe when I was growing up and hitch hiking was easy, even in and around Detroit, Michigan. One summer I got as far as Denver, CO. I attended Thirkell Elementary, Hutchins Intermediate and Cass Tech High Schools all in Detroit. After 4 years in the Air Force and using the G.I. Bill, I went to Michigan State University to study metallurgical engineering. While at MSU I met and married Martha (Marty) Joann Avery on December 30, 1955. I loved Marty for over 60 years. Our union produced 4 children; Twana, Mark, Michael & Matthew. Great kids, one and all. After Michigan State I got a job at the General Motors Research & Technical Center just outside of Detroit. After a couple of years at GMR I got a job with GE Metallurgical Products Group (Carboloy) for five years and then joined Philips Electronics in March 1964. I retired from Philips in August 1996. I had a lot of luck in my career with Philips. I started out as an entry level service guy and became The National Sales Manager 18 years later. What success I did have at Philips was directly proportional to the help I received from many people at Philips and these 3 people in particular; Bob Smick, Bob Feingold and Nathan Little. The many opportunities for personal growth and challenge I received there, I don’t believe I would have gotten from any other company, anytime or anywhere. Over the years I met some wonderful people from all walks of life and from different parts of the world. Some of these meetings turned into friendships that lasted for most of my life. That about sums it up. I didn’t do anything unique but I think that’s what average is all about, just being average! P.S. I will miss lunch in Yuma with my very dear and close friend, John Vernon.