Joe Ralph Alexander

Joe Ralph Alexander Jr, age 80 of Lenoir City, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 19th 2025. Joe was born to the late Joe Ralph Alexander, Sr, and Charlotte (Hambright) Alexander in Charleston Tn. Joe grew up in a farm family and knew hard work. Joe attended East Tennessee State University where ROTC was a requirement for male students. Joe enlisted in the Army in 1966 in the U.S Army Airborne Division. He was trained in Fort Campbell Kentucky and was soon deployed to South Vietnam. He served during the TET Offensive and was embroiled in heavy combat. He was wounded and received a purple heart and silver star for his service. Joe returned home where he became a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard where he served until his retirement in 1995 as a Colonel with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Knoxville Tn. Joe also co-owned and operated Off Road Equipment-Parts in Alcoa Tennessee where he worked in sales and finance for the company. Joe was an active member in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Loudon. Joe continued to farm in retirement and enjoyed a quiet life with his wife Rikki. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and teaching them valuable life lessons. He leaves many friends to mourn him as well.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 24 years, Rikki (Roach) Alexander, Lenoir City; sons and daughters in law, Gregg and Teresa Alexander, Vermont, Joshua and Sarah Traylor, Knoxville, and Matthew and Susan Traylor, Lenoir City; grandchildren, Joseph and Charlotte Alexander, Jack, Charlotte, Josie, Hartley, Hayden and Hollis Traylor; sister and brother in law, Mary Frances and Kenneth Ladd, Dyersburg Tn; nieces and nephew, Lisa Keeling, Bryan Ladd and Sarah Ladd. Services honoring and remembering Joe Alexander will be held 2:30pm Friday, May 23rd in the sanctuary of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 503 College St, Loudon, TN 37774. Reverend Mark Hester will officiate. Interment to follow in the Pleasant Grove/Crandall Cemetery, 8416 N 23rd Ave, Lenoir City, TN 37772. Military honors will be conferred by the United States Army and the Loudon County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 12pm until 2:15pm prior to the service at the Loudon Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Pallbearers will be; Joseph Alexander, Jack Ladd, Jack Traylor, Josh Traylor, Matt Traylor, Gregg Alexander, Bryan Ladd and Johnny Keeling.