Ronald "Moe" W. Alexander

If there is one thing that everyone who knew Ronald Moe Alexander can agree on it would be that his heart was as big as they come. He was completely devoted to his family, his work, and the communities he called home. Ron was driven and thorough with an insatiable desire to help anyone in need. Although he treasured his roles as a husband and father, there just may have been nothing better in Rons book than becoming a grandfather. Everything he did, he did with all his heart, and he was the sort of person whom everyone seemed to know. Ron was passionate about the people and things he treasured, and his zest for life was contagious to all who were near. Moe will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

During the first half of the 1940s, the eyes of our nation were focused overseas as countless young servicemen and women were deeply entrenched in the throes of WWII. Those who remained stateside became all too familiar with rationing on common goods while victory gardens were planted to lessen the demand on the nations food supply. Also during this eventful time Harry C. and Buelah (Juillerat) Alexander were filled with great anticipation as they were expecting a new baby as the beauty of spring unfolded in Whitley County, Indiana. Their wait was over on May 20th when the baby boy they named Ronald W. was born. He was one of seven children in his family and was raised alongside his brothers, Harold, Richard, Robert, and Dwight, and his sister, Betty. Sadly, Moes father died when Moe was only 10 years old. This left the family more than willing to do whatever they could to support one another. Ron and his siblings all began working to generate their needed income. He also attended local schools including Columbia City Joint High School. Ron also took courses at IU/PU and Ivy Tech.

Throughout his life Ron was known for his strong work ethic. He started working when he was just 11, helping area farmers and making hay. He also worked at various places over the years including Pure Oil Gas Station, Wally Simmons Excavating, Coca-Cola, Dale Johnson Home Improvement Co., LML and Rivera Cruiser Boats, and Weatherhead Co. of Columbia City. From there Ron started at International Harvester in Fort Wayne in 1965 until it closed in 1983. At that time, Rons entrepreneurial spirit took shape as he started Alexander Excavating and also founded the A Disposal Company in 1983 with the late Guy Wood.

On August 1, 1991, he married Karen S. (Amber) Brown in Deadwood, South Dakota. In 1993, Ron and his son, Kevin, sold Alexander Excavating, Inc. At that point, Ron and Karen moved down to Greenfield so he could return to Indianapolis Navistar Engine Plant to finish out his retirement. Ron retired on December 23, 2003, and they moved back to Columbia City to be closer to family. After his retirement, Moe worked as a team with his wife picking up and delivering trucks in Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky and Ohio for W.A. Jones, Columbia City.

Much of Moes life was spent in Columbia City where he was actively involved. He was elected Vice President of UAW Local 57 and several other Local 57 offices for a total of 16 years as a Local 57 Representative serving their 7500 members. Ron was instrumental in starting the GED program, working with the State of Indiana for Local 57 workers. Because of Moes efforts, 3000 Local 57 members received their GED. Ron also was one of the first to serve on the UAW 30 and out Committee at the national level. He was appointed by UAW Region 3 office to teach class when other area unions were on strike. UAW Region 3 also appointed Ron on several Indiana elections to help on the campaigns of national congressmen.

While living in Allen County from 1965-1978, Ron was also very involved in their community. He was elected Financial Secretary of Allen County UAW Cap Council and was also elected a delegate to the UAW Region 3 Cap Council for Indiana and Kentucky for a number of years. While working at the Indianapolis plant Local 98, Ron was appointed Insurance rep for a period of time. Over the 16 years Ron was a UAW Local 57 union official, he attended several UAW schools and seminars. He was active in the Allen County Democratic Party through which he served as a precinct committeeman and ward chairman for Adams Township. He also was a delegate to the Indiana Democrat State Convention. Ron was a member of Columbia City United Methodist Church since 2004 where he served on the board of trustees and administrative council. Over the years he has been a member of the Moose, Elks, Eagles Lodge, T.P.A., and AARP.

There was never anything that was of greater importance to Ron than his family. He was deeply devoted to his two children, Kevin and Kelly, as well as to his wife, Karen. Moe loved being a grandpa, and it was because he missed his grandchildren that he came back to the area after retiring. An avid card player, Ron loved playing poker with his family most of all. In fact, he even taught his grandchildren to play! When they came to visit him in Greenfield, they were so excited to see if Grandpa Moe had the cards and chips set out on the table to play, and of course he always did. In addition to playing cards with them, Ron made a point to come and watch whatever event or activity they were a part of. He and Karen loved traveling together as well as gambling. Over the years they made 18 trips up to Deadwood, South Dakota, where they enjoyed staying at the Deadwood Gulch Resort. Throughout his life Ron managed to make it to every state except for Alaska.

Over the years Moe was a man of many interests. He loved cars and had his own 1963 Ford Galaxy 500. Although he didnt work on them, he did love applying as much power to the wheels as possible. Perhaps this is why his first set of tires only lasted three days! He also enjoyed driving his golf cart around town. Moes first love was playing cards, but if he didnt have an opponent he often played Mississippi Stud on his laptop.

All who knew Ronald Alexander would agree that there was no one who met him and left unchanged. He worked hard, but he played hard, too, and he took every moment that he was given and lived it to the fullest. Naturally gifted in bookkeeping and in business matters, Moe accomplished great things. He will never be forgotten.

Ronald "Moe" W. Alexander, of Columbia City, Indiana, died on Friday, April 17, 2015. Rons family includes his wife, Karen S. Alexander; children, Kevin (Jody) Alexander of Columbia City and Kelly (Phil) Peterson of Avilla; step-son, Jim (Harriett) Brown of Columbia City; step-daughters, Julie (Jay) Nordman, Joyce (Terry) Hull, Jennifer (Thor) Hodges all of Columbia City; brothers, Robert (Nancy) Alexander and Dwight (Sharon) Alexander both of Columbia City; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Marrs; infant brother, Kenneth; and brothers, Harold and Richard Alexander.

Visitation is from 2-7p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at the Columbia City United Methodist Church with Pastor David Arnold officiating. Burial to follow at Nolt Cemetery. Memorials may be given in his memory to the American Heart Association or American Diabetes Assoc.