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Philip B. Alexander
Born: 4/7/1918
Died: 12/1/2015
Age: 97
Community: Owosso, MI
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Philip B. Alexander, age 97, passed away at Oliver Woods after a long and fulfilling life on Tuesday, December 1, 2015. Phil was born April 7, 1918 in Flint, the son of Harry and Gladys (May) Alexander and graduated from Mary Crapo High School in Swartz Creek in 1936. He married Ruth M. Nelson on November 8, 1941 and later married Adelaide (Hopkins) Nelson in 2001.
Phil worked on the State Fair Circuit showing Hereford cattle for Crapo Farms of Swartz Creek, C.A. Smith's Hillcrest Farms of Chester, West Virginia and E.F. Fisher's Highpoint Farms of Romeo, Michigan. He later owned and operated his own dairy farm, first near Swartz Creek and then in Corunna. After leaving the dairy industry Phil became an industrial chemical salesman representing first the Penetone Corporation of Tenefly, New Jersey and later the Spencorp Company of Alliance, Ohio. For 40 years he enjoyed traveling and covering his territory which was most of the lower peninsula.
Phil volunteered his time to several organizations. He was a livestock 4-H leader for 18 years in both Genesee and Shiawassee Counties and was chairman of the Shiawassee 4-H Council for four years. He also served on the fair board, was a member of Farm Bureau and for nine years he held the position of Venice Township Zoning Board chairman.
Faith and God were important to Phil which showed in his dedication to the Vernon United Methodist Church where he had been a member since 1950. He served on the church board and was active in the Men's Club. For twenty-five years he worked on the Board of Missions for the United Methodist Church in the Flint District. Phil's love of hunting and his desire for helping impassioned him to help organize Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger and promoted a partnership between the organization and the United Methodist men.
Phil is survived by one brother, Grant (Lee) Alexander of Swartz Creek; daughters, Bethany Dutcher of Owosso and Jennifer Merrill of Allen, Texas; five grandchildren, Matthew Dutcher, Kevin (Kerry) Dutcher, and Donna Ash of Owosso, Eric (Amy) Merrill of Foster City, and Martin Merrill of Plano, Texas; nine great grandchildren, Jason and Luke Dutcher, Hanna and Noah Dutcher, Amber and Autumn Ash, Tyler, Emily, and Abby Merrill; two great great granddaughters, Sofiea and Lavina; stepsons, Loren (Helen) Nelson of Cummings, Georgia and Gerald Nelson of Grand Blanc; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Phil was predeceased by both of his wives; his parents; one sister, Mary Jane (Gus) Granger; and one brother, Bruce Alexander.
Visitation will take place at Sharp Funeral Home of Swartz Creek on Thursday, December 3, 2:00pm - 4:00pm and 6:00pm - 8:00pm. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 4, 11:00 am at Sharp Funeral Home of Swartz Creek with the Reverend Russell Merrill officiating. Memorials may be made to Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger or Vernon United Methodist Church.
Tributes may be shared on the obituaries page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. |
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| Visitation |
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12/3/2015 |
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2:00 PM |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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12/4/2015 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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