Joseph D. Alexander
Joseph D. Alexander, 82, made his transition to heaven on Jan. 4, 2021, at his home in Goodyear, Ariz.
Joseph was born June 7, 1938, in Bellsmill, Va., to Chana (Young) Alexander-Gaines and Joseph Calvin Alexander.
After high school, he graduated from Howard University. He was vice president of student government and graduated in 1960 Magna Cum Laude. At completion of ROTC, he entered the U.S. Army.
Joseph attended Command and General Staff College, Commanders List 1970. He received his M.B.A. from Babson College School of Management with high distinction in 1973.
Military assignments include: Deputy Director of Terminals, Company Commander Germany, Assistant Professor of Military Science and Tactics, Howard University, Commander 4th Transportation Battalion, Army General Staff (DCSOPS).
He became a Captain at the age of 23. He served his country with two tours of duty in Vietnam. Joseph retired from the U.S. Army as a full Colonel.
Joseph leaves to cherish his memories, his loving and devoted wife of 35 years, Edrena R. Alexander, and other loving family members and many friends who are here in PebbleCreek.
He was a member of Just Folks Association, Share Bears, PebbleCreek Community Church, and Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Phoenix, Ariz. He was a Deacon and Trustee of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, DC, for 18 years.
He will be buried at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Sheila Harrison
Sheila Harrison, 88 years young, beloved widow of Kenneth Harrison, happily married for 65 years, much loved aunt of Martin Lucas, Pam, Kate, Martin Goodyer, and Graham, and cousin of George, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 22, 2021. Ken left the world in October 2017.
Martin Lucas had commuted from London during the past four years on a bi-monthly basis to manage both Sheila and Ken’s living and healthcare, but due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the air corridors, was unable to be with Sheila since March 2020. During the four years, and increasingly since last March, Sheila was very often and regularly visited by, and her needs were taken care of, by Zoe and JD Carpenter.
Sheila and Ken came to the U.S. in 1965, when Ken accepted a role with Schneider Electric, based in the northern states, rising to the position of Global Engineering and Sales Account Manager on the General Motors Relationship. Ken was at the forefront of automated production process control systems. Sheila was successively an Executive Personal Assistant at Connecticut Water and Kelly Services.
Sheila closed their home near Coventry, England, packing hers and her parents Alice (Momma) and Tom’s (Pop) clothes into luggage trunks, arriving in Connecticut after a sea crossing, a few months after Ken had flown to the U.S. After successive homes between Connecticut and Michigan, and Ken’s career of 24 years in the North, Sheila and Ken decided, after much consideration, that PebbleCreek Eagle’s Nest would provide their retirement idyll. Sadly, Tom passed away beforehand.
Sheila and Ken bought Unit 1 at 15321 W. Catalina Court, making it their home, in their style, greatly modifying the footprint and adding many house and yard features. Sheila and Ken threw themselves into meeting those other early ‘settlers’ including Ike and Louise Fils, Fred and Lorraine Alves, John and Eileen Conklin, Joseph and Jo Bilielo, and Rob and Fearne Hoag.
Sheila and Ken lived there for 30 years hosting, and being reciprocated, many very enjoyable parties with their friends, until deciding that dining out was far preferable to socializing without the increasing effort. One of their preferred venues has been Bella Luna for the excellent cuisine of Joseph, Jo, and their family.
In the early days, Sheila would go to the fitness club and swimming pool while Ken became a very keen golfer, in one year scoring two holes-in-one. One of his great golfing buddies was Willard Pearson. Sheila and Ken were always keen attendees at the Eagle’s Nest festive lunches and at the PebbleCreek Arts Group performances, with Sheila often preparing and cooking some of the meals.
Sheila and Ken toured the world including Australia, China, India, and had timeshares at Pebble Beach and Hawaii. Sheila had in Ken a soulmate and love of her life. They are now together for eternity.
In PTom Henderson
Tom Henderson died on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, in Goodyear, Ariz., at the age of 90. Tom was born on Oct. 27, 1930, in Bloomington, Ill., to Paul and Muriel Henderson, the youngest of three children.
Tom graduated from Bloomington High School in 1948. He played football, basketball, and tennis and was a member of the National Honor Society. He went on to attend Illinois State University, from where he graduated in 1952. While at ISU, he played Varsity Tennis for four years and was President of the Letterman’s Club. He was later inducted into the ISU Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a collegiate tennis player.
Tom was a long-time resident of Ottawa, Ill. He taught history at Ottawa HS and coached tennis, swimming, and basketball. He and his wife Ellie had three children—Debi, Michael, and Tom.
Tom was a highly respected and accomplished tennis coach. His coaching record was an amazing 740-113, helping OHS dominate the NCIC for 47 years. His teams won 47 sectional championships and earned 17 finishes in the top-eight of the state. These included four 3rd place, one 4th place, one 5th place, one 6th place, five 7th place, and five 8th place finishes. He was recognized as the Illinois Tennis Coach of the Year in 1972 and again in 2000. He was inducted into the IHSA Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame in 1987. And he was awarded the rare Lifetime Achievement Award by the Illinois High School Tennis Coaches Association (one of only three coaches to ever receive the honor).
Tom married Lyn Ahern of Ottawa in 1980. After retiring from teaching in 1988, he continued to coach Boys and Girls Tennis at OHS. In 2000, Tom and Lyn retired to Goodyear, Ariz. where they enjoyed many years of sunshine, good friends, tennis, and golf among the PebbleCreek Retirement Community.
Tom is survived by his wife Lyn; his son Tom (Becky) of Libertyville, Ill.; and his grandson Matt. He is preceded in death by his sister Bettie; his brother Bill; his son Mike; and his daughter Debi.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.