Barry Jackson Alexander

Barry Jackson Alexander - beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather - died peacefully on March 10 with family by his side. He will be missed as fiercely as he was loved.

A memorial service will be held at Irving Park United Methodist Church on the 17th of April 2026, at 11am with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall.

Barry is preceded in death by his parents Odell J. Alexander and Walter E. Alexander, and his sister Sharon Black. He is survived by his wife Lynn, his sons Christopher (Emily) Alexander and Walter Alexander, his grandchildren Tess, Lewis, and Hazel, Lewis and Hazel’s mother Darcie Alexander, his brother Jim (David) Alexander, his nieces and nephews, and his loving sister-in-law Betty Henderson.

Barry grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he graduated with honors from Pine Bluff High School. He was on the editorial board of The Pine Cone school newspaper, was the Vice President of his senior class, and was voted Most Intelligent by his classmates.

He was awarded a scholarship to NC State University, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He studied hard but also found the time for plenty of raucous parties with his fraternity brothers at Pi Kappa Phi. It was at such a party he met his future wife, Meredith student Lynn Hooks of Fremont, NC. They married in August of 1969 and had 56 beautiful years together.

After college, Barry worked for IBM before starting his own computer software business Carolina Cipher with partner Allen Rembert. After 40 years of hard work, Barry retired and enjoyed the extra time he had for his family, friends, reading, rooting for the Wolfpack, the Sierra Club, sending dad jokes via email, exercising, and volunteering.

Barry was a true man of service who left a mark on his community through his tireless volunteer work. He liked to be busy and to be of use, and through Habitat for Humanity and Community Housing Solutions he helped build homes for those in need. He was active in his church, Irving Park Methodist, and his faith was a guiding principle in his life.

His legacy is the tremendous love he showered on his family and the integrity he modeled for them. He was “Papa” to his grandchildren, and spent countless hours playing, joking, and teaching in the gentle and present manner that defined him.

The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at The Elms memory care at Abbotswood for their help in Barry’s last months of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Community Housing Solutions or Irving Park Methodist Church.