Samuel Alexander Obituary

Commander Samuel J. Alexander, USN (Ret.), died at home the morning of July 23, 2022, with his loving family at his side. CDR Alexander was born on September 8, 1943, in Altoona, Pa., to the late Charles E. and Mary E. (Malone) Alexander. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1961 and attended Penn State University on an NROTC scholarship. On March 26, 1966, he received a commission as an Ensign, United States Navy, the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree, and married the love of his life of 56 years, the former Mary K. Kelley of Connellsville, Pa.

After assignments in destroyers, CDR Alexander was designated an Engineering Duty Officer in 1970. In 1976 he earned the MSEE and Degree of Electrical Engineer from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. At retirement in 1986, he was serving as the Senior Combat Systems Member of the Navy Departments Board of Inspection and Survey. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Leaf.

In 1986, Sam joined the Melpar Division of E-Systems Corporation, later the Raytheon Company. He retired for the second time in 2005, and the couple relocated to the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains in Nellysford, Va., in 2008.

In addition to his wife, Sam is survived by children, Amy A. Gilliland, CPA (Wm Ralph Jr.) of Greensboro, N.C., and LTC Brian C. Alexander, USAF (Ret.) (Jeanie v B) of Crozet, Va., and five amazing grandchildren, Virginia, Katie, and Caroline Gilliland, and Jonathan and Charlie Alexander. In addition to his parents, Sam was predeceased by a sister, Vivian Goff, and an infant grandson, Alexander William Gilliland.

Sam was a member of Delta Chi social fraternity, the Military Officers Association of America, IEEE Eta Kappa NU Electrical Engineering Honorary Society, and an Associate of Sigma Xi - The Scientific Research Honor Society. He was a long time Amateur Radio Operator and a member of the American Radio Relay League. Sam was a proud Life Member of the Wintergreen Rescue Squad, and a member of Rockfish Presbyterian Church, where he led a Wood Ministry dedicated to keeping the residents of Nelson County warm throughout the winter months.

Sam had an insatiable curiosity about the way things work. He was an engineering geek who enjoyed fixing everything from Aircraft Carriers to electronic circuit boards. He would fearlessly take almost anything apart and most times get them back together again, and he was an on-call handyman to his friends and neighbors.

The family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care Sam received from the staff and nurses of the Emily Couric Cancer Center at the University of Virginia, and the H.O.P.E. Clinic, especially the exceptional expertise and compassion of Matthew Reilley, MD, and Kira McBee, RN.

A celebration of Sam’s life will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Rockfish Presbyterian Church.

Byrum-Parr Funeral Home is serving the family.