Dr. James Lucian Alexander

Dr. James Lucian Alexander went to eternal peace on Saturday, February 21, 2025 on a beautiful sunny, cool day surrounded by loved ones. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, son, Alan J. Alexander, daughter-in-law Martha Villarreal, daughter Lauren Dieringer, son-in-law Jason Dieringer, four grandchildren, Hunter Downey, Aidan Alexander, Johanna Dieringer, and Emily Alexander, his two brothers William P Alexander III, and Steven Alexander (Karen), plus numerous nephews and nieces of whom he was very fond.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Caldwell Methodist Church, Caldwell Texas on Sunday March 29th, 2026 at 1pm.

James graduated from Richfield High School, in Waco, Texas in 1963. He attended the University of Texas at Austin (was on campus the day of the Whitman Tower shooting in 1966) and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1967. He was drafted into the United States Army in in 1968 (receiving his draft card in the mail on the same day he took his last final exam at the University of Texas) and served his country in the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1971. His service record was immaculate. He graduated Number 1 in his Infantry Officer Candidate School class, and for his wartime service received numerous commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star. Perhaps most importantly, he took his father's advice, who, upon shipping out to Vietnam, told James to "keep his head own, bowels open, and don't volunteer for anything." He was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in 1971. Upon returning home to Waco, he received a hero's welcome of one person at the Waco airport. His father was that one person. Although he was not an emotional man, his father is said to have wept upon seeing his middle son return home alive and in one piece.

He continued his education at The University of Houston earning a Master of Arts, Psychology 1977 and a Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology 1978. In 1977, he married his wife, Elizabeth Alexander (née Pascoe), to whom he remained faithfully devoted for the remainder of his life. In 1979 they welcomed their son Alan into the world and in 1981, his beloved daughter and forever the apple of his eye, Lauren.

From 1978 to 1985 he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Medical Center, Houston Texas. He was the Principal Investigator of research project on assessment, evaluation, and outcome of comprehensive rehabilitation following spinal cord injury. He was also the Director of Behavioral Ecology Research Team at TIRR in Houston Texas (The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research TIRR).

In 1985, he moved his family from the busy metropolis of Houston to the small town of Llano, Texas, embarking on what would become his calling and passion in life, rural public healthcare administration. He was the Administrator of Llano Memorial Hospital, taking it from the brink of bankruptcy to a modern, profitable facility that endures to this day.

In 1990, the family moved to Caldwell, Texas, where he took the job as the Administrator of the closed Burleson Memorial Hospital. Through a concerted community and state-level legislative effort, he was able to secure municipal bond funding to reopen the hospital. From there, he guided it through a period of growth and modernization that ultimately led to a negotiated a lease and management agreement with St. Joseph's Regional Hospital. To this day, the Burleson Memorial Hospital continues as part of the St. Joseph Health network.

In 2001 he accepted a faculty position at the Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health as an Associate Professor/Coordinator of Practicum Services. His students and colleagues described him as a giant in the field, a key contributor to the early success of the School of Rural Public Health, an engaging professor and a good mentor. He retired as Emeritus status and a scholarship was endowed in his name.

He was heavily involved in Texas Organization of Rural Community Hospitals (TORCH) and was a founding board member. He served various organizations within the Brazos Valley area over the years which include Burleson County Hospital Board; Brazos Valley Council on Alcohol & Substance Abuse (BVCASA); Statewide Health Coordinating Council, Governor's Appointment; and Brazos Area Health Education Center.

He was involved with the Boy Scouts of America (being an Eagle Scout himself) in Llano and Caldwell and guided his son to the rank of Eagle. He coached Little League and continued on as a Little League umpire for years long after his children were grown. Whatever his kids were doing, he would try to get involved, was supportive and seldom missed any event, no matter how trivial.

James was a lifelong Christian and was heavily involved in Caldwell Methodist Church. He sang in the choir, served various boards, taught a Sunday school class. If the church needed something, he was always willing to help. He helped start the Brazos Valley Emmaus Group. He loved to serve the Lord.

He bled burnt orange and would watch any sport the Longhorns would play. He was a football season ticket holder for decades. It might seem odd to some that he devoted a substantial portion of his professional life to Texas A&M University. He would jokingly say that there was no better place in the world to stamp out ignorance than Texas A&M. But in truth he had too many friends and loved ones who were Aggies to hold Texas A&M in anything but the highest regard.

He loved the outdoors and his sanctuary in Crawford, Texas, near where he grew up in Waco. He taught his kids and their friends how to camp, cook over a fire, and shoot guns. He would go there by himself and just be at peace. His ashes will be scattered there so that he can be at peace for all time.

He was headstrong, intelligent, confident, and devoted to his family, friends and community. He always tried to do his best for those who needed him and will be missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, his family is requesting donations be made to his endowed scholarship fund. Below are the details of the scholarship:

James L. Alexander, Ph.D. Scholarship. The account number is 400-36144.

To make a gift online, they may use this link: https://myaggieland.txamfoundation.com/tamf/give

Click on the "Search for a Designation" button and enter 400-36144 and click the box for that account and follow the instructions.

Checks can also be sent to the following:

A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840 and put the account number (400-36144) in the memo line.