GREENVILLE — Ivan Alexander Jr. died of natural causes at his Emory home Tuesday night, Feb. 14. Ivan was a great husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, lawyer, entrepreneur, civic leader and friend to more than can be counted in this short space.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at the Emory Baptist Church under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home with burial to follow at the Emory Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. David Diller and Rev. Kelly Krone. 

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Emory Baptist Church.

Ivan was born in Emory on May 16, 1932, He graduated from Emory High School in 1949 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from East Texas State Teachers College (now Texas A&M Commerce) in 1953. 

Ivan served in the U.S. Air Force (Reserves) as a Second Lieutenant from 1953-55. He graduated from the University of Texas Law School in 1959 and was licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas in May, 1959.  He began his legal career with the law firm of Luna, McCarthy and Berzett in Dallas in June, 1960. 

He has been engaged in private practice in Emory since November, 1962; most recently as a partner in the firm Curtis, Alexander, McCampbell and Morris, with offices in Emory and Greenville.

Ivan was also the owner of AAA Abstract, Inc., which owns Elliott and Waldron Abstract and Title Company in Canton, Texas and Rains County Abstract in Emory.

Previously, Ivan served as Rains County Attorney for seven years, and was on the State Bar of Texas District A-1 Grievance Committee for seven years; two of which he served as chairman. He was made a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation in 1982, and was a member of the State Bar of Texas from 1959.

Ivan was devoted to Emory and its citizens. He helped create the Emory Volunteer Fire Department and helped organized the Annie Mae Schrimsher and Rains County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund for Rains County Independent School District students.

Ivan served as the President of Rains County Economic Growth, Inc., Rains County Fair Association, City Cemetery Association, Rains County Centennial and the Emory Lions Club.

Ivan was frequently awarded for his contributions. He was proud to have been named Emory Lions Club Citizen of the Year in 1979, the Economic Developer of the Year 2001 by the East Texas Economic Development District, and to be awarded the Rains County Chamber of Commerce 2005 Meritorious Service Award, the 2003 Community builder Award from Mars Hill Masonic Lodge of Emory and the 2007 Commendation by the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate for contributions to his community.

Ivan also served on the Board of Directors for the First National Bank of Emory.

Ivan was preceded in death by his father Ivan Alexander, Sr., his mother Gladys Nix Alexander, and a brother Charles Alexander.

He is survived by his wife Connie Alexander of Emory; daughter Lisa Mitchell and her husband Dick of Dallas; son George Ivan Alexander and his wife Robin of Greenville and son Philip and his wife Cherry of Emory; along with his much loved grandchildren, Lauren, Abbie, Katie, Blake and George Ivan, Jr.

Pallbearers will be Leon Clark, Nolan House, J. Brad McCampbell, Dick Mitchell, Mike Taylor, and Wayne Wolfe.Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Goff Alexander, Mike Dunn, A. B. Godwin, Floyd Green, Clyde Smith and the members of the Rains County and Hunt County Bars.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ivan Alexander, Jr. Scholarship Fund for Rains ISD Students at P.O. Box 38, Emory, 75440.

Online condolences may be made at www.cokermathews.com