Ronald Dean Alexander

Wilson - Services for Mr. Ronald Dean Alexander, Sr, 77, of Wilson are scheduled for 11:00 AM Friday, May 7, 2021 at Alexander Gray Funeral Home Chapel of Wilson with Rev. Waylon Dancer and Rev. Mike Williams officiating. Entombment will follow at the Hewitt Cemetery of Wilson with Rev. Mike Johnston officiating.

Ron was born on August 19, 1943 at Angelton, TX to the late Mr. Robert Henry Alexander and Mrs. Emily Blondell (Easterwood) Alexander. He passed from this life on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at a healthcare facility in Dallas, TX.

Ron was raised in Wilson where he graduated high school in 1961. He attended Murray State College of Tishomingo where he held a football scholarship until a leg injury. Later he would attend the University of Oklahoma before enrolling in mortuary school at Dallas. Ron married his high school sweetheart, the former Ms. Joy Linn Wooldridge on Sept. 2, 1964 at Dallas. Upon graduating from mortuary school, they moved to Okmulgee, where Ron began working as a Funeral Director and Embalmer for Buchannan Funeral Home. He was also employed at Eisenhower Funeral Home of Del City before returning to Wilson in 1973. Ron and Joy Linn purchased Leslie Funeral Home of Wilson and Ringling in 1973, from its former owners, Homer and Wanda Leslie. Ron served as the Funeral Director, of both Wilson and Ringling until semi retiring in 2006. During his career, Ron accomplished remodeling of both Ringling and Wilson and also the purchase of Milburn Funeral Home of Ratliff City. He loved to serve families and was always a great asset to the communities.
Ron served in several civic capacities which included being a charter member of the Boys and Girls Club of Wilson and Ardmore, member of the Rotary Club International and Paul Harris Fellow, Hewitt and Bomar Point Cemetery Association and as a board member of the Southern OK. Rural Development Board, Southern Oklahoma Development Association, Wilson Library Board, former cub master of Cub Scout Pack 43, and the Wilson Alumni Asscoaition. He always enjoyed every community event whether it was a parade, trick or treat on Main Street, and all the surrounding school ballgames.

Ron always had an immense love for the City of Wilson and other surrounding communities. He served on the Wilson city council from 1973 until 2020, with a number of those years as Mayor. Ron was very proud of Wilson and its accomplishments. He took a great pride and responsibility to improve Wilson and never minded volunteering his time and efforts. He was proud to be a funeral director and most recently received his 50 year pin for his dedication and devotion as a licensed Oklahoma Funeral Director. Ron loved playing dominoes, cards and driving a shiny car. He was an avid OU fan and was very proud of his son, Dee and his grandsons Harrison and Jackson for all their accomplishments. He loved spending time with them every summer at Lake Murray camping and always anticipated their next outing. Ron had a very generous spirit and loved helping others, no matter the cost. He loved inspiring others to do well and was always willing to sacrifice his own to help another. Ron was a believer in Jesus Christ and consistently stayed active as a member of the First United Methodist Church of Wilson.

Preceding him are his parents; and a brothers in law, J.H. Hayes and Bob Bennison.

Survivors include his loving wife Joy Linn of the home; son, Dr. Ronald D. "Dee" Alexander, II and wife Kristin of Ft. Worth, TX; grandsons, Harrison and Jackson Alexander; sister, Myrna Lavon "Cookie" Hayes of Thackerville; brother, Charles Alexander and wife Myra of Wilson; sister in law, Gail Bennison of Dallas, TX; numerous other family and friends.

Casket bearers are Harrison Alexander, Jackson Alexander, Wayland Alexander, Rob Alexander, Tom Hayes, Pierce Monkres and Jimmy Monkres.

Honorary bearers are Mike Fitts, James Tow, Nub Sullivan, Robert Lynch, Sam Brimer, Mike Hisey, Frank Carriker, Larry Stearns, Carlos Johnson, Lance Straughn, Frank Schaaf, Butch Clark, Ken Barrett, Fred Wayne Alexander, Craig Barbour, Tim Bartling, Methodist Church family, and all his fellow co-councilman.

Family visitation will be held from 5pm to 7 pm Thursday evening at Alexander Gray Funeral Home of Wilson.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hewitt Bomar Point Cemetery Association, PO Box 360 Wilson, OK 73463.

Condolences may be sent online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org