Cover photo for Tommy Downs Alexander's Obituary
Tommy Downs Alexander Profile Photo
1933 Tommy Downs Alexander 2024

Tommy Downs Alexander

December 4, 1933 — September 7, 2024

Murray

Tommy Downs Alexander, 90, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Murray-Calloway County Hospital.

He was born December 4, 1933, in Calloway County, to Raymond and Mabel Downs Alexander, who preceded him in death.

Tommy graduated from New Concord High School and Murray State University with a degree in Chemistry. He served in the United States Air Force during and immediately following the Korean War and was stationed in both Okinawa, Japan and Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Following his military service, he worked for several years as a chemist at Union Carbide’s Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Paducah and at General Tire and Rubber Company in Mayfield. In 1971, Tommy became co-owner of Ward-Elkins Appliance and TV alongside his father-in-law R. L. Ward. In 1986, he also purchased Purdom’s Furniture and Appliance Store in Murray. He remained active in the appliance business until the age of 83. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Dannie Harrison’s Sunday School class and, for several years, served as leader of the Royal Ambassadors youth group.

Tommy was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Annette Ward Alexander, and his brother Dan Clayton Alexander. He is survived by his daughter Gay Swift (Robert) of Murray; son Michael Alexander (Dan Ezell) of Venice, Florida; two beloved grandchildren, Alexander Wellinghurst (Janssen) of Jefferson, Georgia, and Grace Colson (Aaron) of Murray; and four cherished great-grandchildren, Gavin and Alexandria Wellinghurst of Jefferson, Georgia and Beckett and Annie Colson of Murray.

Tommy’s family will welcome visitors from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Murray. A private family graveside and burial will be held at Murray City Cemetery officiated by Rev. Kerry Lambert.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made either to the Meals on Wheels program at the Murray-Calloway County Senior Center, 607 Poplar Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071 or the Murray-Calloway County Animal Shelter, 81 Shelter Lane, Murray, Kentucky 42071 where he adopted his last, much-adored cat, Bella.

Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com

 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Tommy Downs Alexander, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

J. H. Churchill Funeral Home

201 S 3rd St, Murray, KY 42071

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 1016

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree