James Patterson Alexander

James Patterson Alexander, known as “Pat,” died March 25, 2017, in Hospice Care at John Knox Village in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Pat was born December 27, 1936, in McKinney, Texas, to Milly Lou Patterson Alexander and James Wallace Alexander. He is survived by his sister, Ota Alexander Roadhouse; his brother–in-law David Ross Roadhouse; his cousins, Kerry Patterson Bartholow, Robert Morris Patterson, and Claire Patterson Andersen; his nieces Kyle Lyn Koehn, Katherine Roadhouse Noone, Cassandra Karuna Roadhouse; his nephew Jacob Dylan Roadhouse; and his four grand-nieces and four grand-nephews. Pat moved to Paola, Kansas, in 1945 with his mother and sister to live with his maternal grandparents Bessie and James Patterson at Walnut Inn, the family home that had been the winter quarters for his grandfather’s circus, The Great Patterson Shows. Pat attended grade school and high school in Paola and he graduated in the class of 1955. Football was an important part of Pat’s life; he played in high school and in college. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree after four years at Pittsburg State University where he played football every year. Pat was an offensive lineman and played on the 1957 team that won the National Championship. Pat went to work early on in his life; his first job was as a carhop at the Bowery drive-in. During the summers in high school he put up hay and worked on the railroad laying ties. Fluor Corporation had a division in Paola and Pat started his post-college career there. This was his entry into the field of metal fabrication for the gas and oil industry and he advanced in his work to sales positions at Taylor Forge and Bonney Forge. Pat loved to travel and he lived in several different cities including London, England, and Milan, Italy, for his work. His avocation was music and Pat was an accomplished guitarist and singer with a wide-ranging repertory. But wherever he went, Pat’s most outstanding talent was making friends which he did with his outgoing personality. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Pat's Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com. Interment will be in the Paola City Cemetery on Sunday, May 21st, 2017, at 1 PM. Following the interment there will be a Celebration of Life for Pat at the Paola Country Club from 2 PM until 5 PM.