Marvin Turner Alexander (“M.T.” or “Alex”), 95, passed into eternal life on November 11, 2018, to be with his lifelong love Mary. M.T. was born on July 1, 1923, in Sibley, Louisiana, to Mary Emmie Morgan and Marvin T. Alexander. At the age of 17, M.T. married his one true love Mary J. Standridge on August 31, 1940, in Wright City, Missouri. They spent the next 74 years and 9 months happily married until Mary’s passing on May 20, 2015.
M.T. served our country in the US Navy fighting in WWII and surviving the Pearl Harbor bombing. In 1950 M.T. and Mary moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, and loved it so much they decided to make it their home for the rest of their lives. During M.T. and Mary’s life together they raised three sons: Charles, Marvin Jr., and Michael, of whom they were so proud. After retiring from the Navy, M.T. continued to work at the Naval Air Station managing the pool hall, the bowling alley, and the base theatre and eventually took over management of the Officers’ Club. After settling into family life post-Navy, M.T. and Mary owned and operated an A&W Root Beer drive-in, and Mary ran that while M.T. started and grew his entertainment business, Alexander Enterprises. After selling A&W, they were able to work together side-by-side in the entertainment business until retirement.
In his spare time, M.T. enjoyed golf, was a member of the Rotary Club, and a Mason. Later in life M.T. and Mary enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. You could always count on seeing them at concerts, plays, and eating out; some of their favorite places to eat were Senor Jaime’s, Poet’s, Nolan’s, and Catfish Charlie’s and many others, and we are eternally grateful for the love and friendship shown to them by the owners and staff of these restaurants that knew them. As season ticket holders since the opening of Whataburger Field, M.T. and Mary also enjoyed attending Hooks’ games, and M.T. continued to attend even after Mary’s passing as he enjoyed seeing his Hooks' family.
M.T. will always be remembered by all he met as the candy man, handing out caramels, root beer barrels, butterscotches, peppermints, and Mary Janes in memory of his sweet Mary after her passing. M.T. was quick-witted, a talented woodworker, and a fix anything kind of guy that was loved by all that knew him. He will be greatly missed by all.
M.T. is preceded in death by his father and mother, brothers and sister, his wife Mary, son Charles, and grandson Brian.
He is survived by his two sons, Marvin Jr. (Helene) and Michael (Carol); daughter-in-law, Darla; granddaughter-in-law, Michele; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Kimberly, Bethany, and Brandon Alexander; great-grandchildren, Matthew, Christian, and Christina Alexander, and E.J. and Carla Rogers; and great-great granddaughter, Amethyst Alexander.
Visitation will be held by the family between 5-7 p.m. on Monday, November 19, 2018, at Seaside. The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3915 Gollihar, Corpus Christi, Texas. Interment will follow at Seaside with Military Honors.
M.T.’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Miranda Mendoza, M.T.’s caregiver for the last six months, who was so caring and loving to M.T. and to his family. Thanks, also, to Harbor Hospice’s staff, especially RN Delores and CNA Jessica, for their tireless support and professionalism. Additionally, M.T’s family would like to give loving thanks for all their help and support to Ron and Kathy Pickett and Pam, Debbie and Lawrence Suggs and family, Carey and Harold Hopkins, Ida and Bob White, and all the Wesley Church family.
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