John Robert Alexander

John Robert Alexander, 82, of Frostproof, Florida, died peacefully on October 18, 2018, in his home, comforted by his loving family and his belief in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Born to Hugh and Hazel Alexander of Lake Wales, Florida, on May 23, 1936, John was a child fascinated by everything, a trait that characterized his entire life. In high school he excelled academically, athletically, and artistically.  He earned academic honors at Lake Wales High School while playing as an end on the football team and as a bassoonist in the concert band. He attended Purdue University on a Naval ROTC Scholarship and played the largest drum in the world in their Marching Band. He later transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he competed on the Gymnastics Team in the pommel horse and ring events. He graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance.

Five days after his college graduation, on June 7, 1958, John married Sarah Jane Griffin of Frostproof, Florida, beginning their shared life of mutual devotion, passionate love for their family, and an abiding confidence in Christ. For more than fifty years, John remained dedicated to his church, First Presbyterian Church of Frostproof, where he faithfully sang in the church choir every Sunday, taught Sunday school classes, and served as an Elder and Moderator of the Session. He especially enjoyed his interaction with young and old members alike as their mutual faith in the Lord grew.

John’s professional career began as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Ultimately, he rose to the rank of Captain, serving three years as an active duty Marine and five years in the Marine Corps Reserves. John touted his military service, in addition to more than forty years working at Ben Hill Griffin, Inc., as the foundation of his successful business career. John went on to serve as Chief Executive Officer and President of Atlantic Blue, Inc., and retired as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Alico, Inc.

John was an avid sportsman, and throughout his  life he loved hunting quail, deer, turkey, and dove with his many friends and family. He always cherished the time he spent as a boy with his brother, Jim, and father, Hugh, hunting quail on the Kissimmee River. He travelled throughout the United States as Captain of the Second Marine Division Rifle and Pistol Team, and in his retirement in 2009, he competed regularly on sporting clay and skeet teams throughout Central Florida. He and Sarah Jane often set out on big game hunts in the western United States and South Africa. His enthusiasm for the outdoors stretched to the Florida Keys and included fishing, boating, scuba diving, and catching lobster. This dual love of the land and the sea earned him the nickname of “Jacques Dundee,” a merger of his more famous counterparts Jacques Cousteau and Crocodile Dundee. He simply loved life!

John’s unwavering care for his community and state was evident in his involvement in Florida TaxWatch, Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, Florida Citrus Commission, Rotary International (Paul Harris Fellow and founder of the annual Frostproof Wild Game Dinner), Farm Credit of Southwest Florida, Floridians for Better Government, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Frostproof Police Retirement Pension, and Polk State College Foundation.

John’s accomplishments, however, pale in comparison to the surpassing love and acceptance he experienced from his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. John died in faith, believing “that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God.” (Job 19:25-26).

Affectionately known as “Pop,” “Daddy,” “Pappy,” or just “John,” John Alexander is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sarah Jane Griffin Alexander of Frostproof, Florida; a son, John David Alexander (wife, Cindy) of Lake Wales, Florida; two daughters, Laura Grace Alexander of Winter Park, Florida; and Nancy Alexander Caswell (husband, Lee) of Atlanta, Georgia; and five grandchildren: Britton Alexander and Keaton Alexander of Tampa, Florida; and R.E. Lee Caswell, Jr., Grace Alexander Caswell, and Sarah Mann Caswell, all of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also survived by his brother James Hugh Alexander (wife, Nancy) of Palm Coast, Florida, as well as extended family in Florida, throughout the States, and in England.

A visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, October 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Frostproof (101 N. Palm Avenue) followed by a graveside service at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 24, at Silver Hill Cemetery, Frostproof. Memorials may be made to the John R. Alexander Memorial Fund at the GiveWell Community Foundation Inc. (1501 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33803). Gifts will go to two of John’s favorite passions: the restoration of the 1926 City Auditorium in Frostproof and his home church, First Presbyterian.