ALONZA ALEXANDER, JR.

Alonza Alexander, at the age of 95, still got down on his knees to say his daily prayers.He passed away quietly on July 26, 2019. He was born April 8, 1924 to the late Mary and Alonza Alexander Sr. in Crawford County, Georgia. 

Alonza was a long time resident of Akron Ohio, he worked at Firestone (Bridgestone  Firestone) for over 30 years.  He was such a valued employee during World War II he was given a letter to serve on the Homefront at Firestone.  Alonza co-owned a car garage for years and was sought after due to his exemplary, honest, and high quality work. 

Alonza would visit the sick, those in the hospital, and would faithfully visit those in the nursing homes throughout the Akron area.  He enjoyed people watching especially in the mall, and believe it or not he was a shopper and a good one! Any item he wanted had to be on sale, a percentage off, or in the clearance section before he’d buy it., that’s when his Math skills kicked in calculating how much he’d save, add the tax and come up with the exactly amount it was going to cost him (all before you got your calculator out) he was a whiz at it!

Alonza will be remembered for his infectious smile and witty humor.  It was always a joy to listen to Alonza and Cousin Eddie work to out wit each other, they should have been on television, they were that good!

Alonza’s joy were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of them were the apple of his eye.  The grandchildren, as they step by step completed college, made life special for their grandpa.  They would take him to baseball games, car shows, out for ice cream, working on cars together, taking him on trips, and their special talks giving him cherished memories for a lifetime.

A special event in Alonza’s life that brought him joy after the passing of his wife Florence, was his 90th birthday celebration.  His daughters planned him an out of this world “baseball party”.  His comment was “who’s going to come to my birthday party? All my friends are gone.”  He was so elated when almost a 100 guest arrived!  His response …  ”All these guest came for me?” ...and as a group below the Duck Club window with instruments in hand began to play and sing “Happy Birthday”; with tears in his eyes he said “ I’m so happy, this is all for me. I’m so grateful.” … and it didn’t end there, he started the baseball game by throwing the ball right over the plate...a good pitch!  The crowd in the stands stood in applause as the announcer said “Happy Birthday Alonza, 90 years young… a perfect ball over the plate”! One step more, the Ducks won the game!  It was indeed a fantastic birthday he cherished! But Dad wasn’t finished yet… off to Georgia he went!  The southeastern extended family joined with Dad to celebrate yet another 90th birthday in Macon, Georgia.  Family traveled from all over Georgia, Florida and the southeast with others joining from Akron and the northeast.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Florence C. Alexander, and daughter, Patricia Maria Alexander.  He is survived by his daughters, Kay Dotson, Dianne (Ronald) Street and                Carolyn Alexander, a host of nieces, nephews, (7) grandchildren, (8) great-grandchildren, and more to come, his honorary family as well as a host of relatives and friends.

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