Ernest Joseph "Ernie" Alexander Jr.

Funeral services will be held at an 11:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, Jan. 20, at St. Pius X Catholic Church for Ernest Joseph Alexander Jr., 78, who passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, at 6:40 p.m. at his residence. The Rev. Steve LeBlanc, pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church, will be celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Entombment will take place in St. John Cemetery. Mr. Alexander Jr., a native of Port Allen and a longtime resident of Lafayette, was the son of the late Ernest Joseph Alexander Sr., of Port Allen, and the former Dolores Cronan, of West Baton Rouge. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church. Ernie was a strong and important voice of the local and state Republican Party, and was also widely recognized for his many accomplishments in the fields of education, broadcasting and community affairs. Some of his many accolades include: Outstanding Teacher in Lafayette Parish, Outstanding Speech and Debate Coach in Louisiana, author of "A Programmed Guide to Teaching Radio and Television in Lafayette Parish Schools" and past president of Lafayette Parish Association of Educators. He had also been a past president of Mid-Acadiana Broadcasting Corp., board member of the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, co-owner and general manager of KMDL and KFTE radio stations, inducted into the Louisiana Broadcaster Hall of Fame, former Channel 3 evening weatherman, Louisiana state representative for District 43, member of the Republican State Central Committee, member LABI, CABL, NFIB and PAR, chairman of the Lafayette Republican Party, honored with dedication of a special "Ernie Alexander Library" in the Lafayette Tea Party Headquarters, chairman of the Board of the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana and award recipient for Outstanding Service to the Community, Outstanding Rotarian, member of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Lafayette City-Parish council member, voice of the Lafayette Kiwanis Club Football Jamboree (50 consecutive years), coach and board member of the Lafayette Little League Football program (20 years), board member of the Acadiana Arts Council, board member of the Lafayette Little Theatre, and member of the Acadiana Symphony Association serving as past president. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Champagne Alexander; a brother, John Arlen Alexander and his wife, Carolyn Kimball Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, on Thursday, Jan. 19, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A rosary will be recited Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the funeral home. Visitation will continue Friday from 8 a.m. until the time of services. Pallbearers will be Bobby Wallace, Bobby Castille, Jim Marble, Richard Andrus, Dan Spreafico and Buddy Webb. Honorary pallbearers are Fritz Muller, Ray DesOrmeaux, Ron Gomez, Jourdan Quibodeaux, Kevin Carrier, Lloyd Rochon, LaLa Lalonde and Mert Smiley. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made in the name of Mr. Alexander to Hospice of Acadiana would be appreciated. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Briere and staff as well as Hospice of Acadiana. Personal condolences may be sent to the Alexander family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.