Dr. Gilbert B. Alexander Jr.

Dr. Gilbert Blake Alexander, Jr.
Chapel Hill
Dr. Gilbert Blake Alexander, Jr., age 77, of Chapel Hill, NC, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully at UNC Hospital Friday September 16 after a lengthy illness.
Blake was born to Mr. and Mrs. Blake Alexander in Asheville, NC on March 23, 1934. He was one of 6 children, including a twin sister, Billie. After graduating from Western Kentucky University he received his Dr. of Optometry Degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. After serving three years at ENT Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, he came to Durham, where he married his wife Gail in 1962, and was in private practice in Durham and Hillsborough for 44 years until his retirement in 2005. "Dr. Blake", as he was lovingly called by his patients, belonged to the American Optometric Association, the North Carolina State Optometric Society and was a Life Member of the American Optometric Foundation. He served on the Durham Board of Health and enjoyed part- time staff work at the NC Eye and Ear Hospital.
Blake was blessed with a very full and active life, with many interests and hobbies. He was a licensed private pilot, woodworker, golfer, fly fisherman, gardener, beekeeper, builder, and also enjoyed skiing, cheering for Duke, and raising guinea hens and heirloom chickens. His family will always remember him as a kind and gentle man who had a twinkle in his eye and time to spend with them.
Blake is survived by his wife Gail, and his sister Billie Alexander King of Lloyd Neck, NY. He is also survived by his daughters, Leslie Alexander Fine (Jim) of Chapel Hill; Lauren Alexander Singdahlsen (Ted) of Durham; his grandchildren Gilbert Blake Alexander, IV (Mindy); Carrie Alexander Kiplinger (Cameron), both of Covington, GA; Samuel Benton Fine and Annalee Grace Fine of Chapel Hill. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son Gilbert Blake Alexander, III of Griffin, GA.
There will be a Service of Remembrance at Christ United Methodist Church, 800 Market Street, Southern Village, Chapel Hill at 10:00 AM Wednesday, September 21st.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, should you wish to honor Blake, please consider a donation in Blake's memory to the Gladney Center for Adoption, 6300 John Ryan Drive, Fort Worth, TX, 73132.