Gary Michael Alexander

Mr. Gary Michael Alexander, 69, died, Tuesday September 11, 2018 from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. Funeral services will be held3:00 PM Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Mt Zion Baptist Church with Rev. J.D Wilson and Rev. Grover Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friend’s from 2:00 PM to 3: 00 PM Sunday, September 23, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He was born May 2, 1949 in Chester, South Carolina to George Lamar Alexander and the late Jacqueline Jean Ortet Alexander. His father was working in the textile industry but soon re-enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and then the family moved to Jacksonville, North Carolina where Gary spent his childhood. Gary attended elementary and junior high school at the Camp LeJeune Schools, American School in Bogota, Columbia and Jacksonville City Schools. He graduated from Jacksonville High School where he excelled in athletics. Gary was a star running back for the Cardinals and wrestled. He was granted a full scholarship to attend Newberry College but elected to attend East Carolina University on a partial scholarship. He graduated from East Carolina University with a B.S. degree in Geography. After graduation Gary married the former Winifred Bonita Taylor and they moved to Florida where Gary began working for the Zellwood Fire Department as an EMT. While working for the fire department Gary became certified in scuba diving to assist with underwater rescues. They later relocated to Fort Mill, South Carolina to be closer to their families. Gary worked in insurance sales before planning a career change to pursue nursing. He truly loved helping others. Gary spent the later years of his life working as a registered nurse until he retired due to health problems. While living with his parents in Winnsboro, South Carolina, Gary became active in the Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. Gary was preceded in death by his mother Jacqueline Jean Alexander and his brother George Lamar Alexander Jr. He is survived by his father George Lamar Alexander, his brother Carlos Henry Alexander II (Sherry) all of Lake Wateree and his sister Karen Jean Alexander Niklason (Gary) of Westminster, SC ;niece and nephew, Kelly Niklason of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. ,James Michael Sanders (Heaven) of Rock Hill, SC.;great-nephew: Smith Sanders