Obituary of Walt McAlexander

A Celebration of Life of Walt McAlexander was held Saturday, Jan 6, 2007 at 2:00 pm at Greenlawn Church of Christ on the Lubbock Christian University campus in Lubbock, TX. Interment was held at 10:00am Saturday morning at Center Plains Cemetery in Hale County, north of Cotton Center under the direction of Freeman-Abell Funeral Home of Hale Center, TX. Walt, age 62, died Wednesday, January 3, 2007 in Killeen, TX after a ten year battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born October 22, 1944 in Mount Vernon, IL to Walter Lee McAlexander and Mable Louise McMinn McAlexander. He grew up in Hale Center and Plainview, graduating from Plainview High School in 1962. He enrolled at South Plains College in Levelland Texas in the fall of 1962, intending to become a teacher. He played baseball at SPC, was active in the Baptist Student Union, Student Education Association, T-Club, the student newspaper, the yearbook staff and acted in the one act play. He graduated from SPC in May 1964. On September 1, 1964 he married Sue Grant at First Baptist Church in Post, TX. Walt graduated from Sam Houston State in May 1966 with a B.A. in History and Journalism. He was sports editor of the campus newspaper his senior year until he started student teaching. He was inducted in the honorary journalism society, Sigma Delta Chi. In late May 1966 he joined the Lubbock Avalanche Journal as a sports writer. He won a national baseball writing award while at the A-J. He worked there until August 1978 when he started working full time at Lubbock Christian College as Sports Information Director. While at LCC, his media guides won 24 national awards. He was named NAIA Sports Information Director of the year in 1988, named to LCU's Hall of Honor in 1997, named to NAIA Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1991 he began working at Texas Tech University as an Assistant Sports Information Director for the women's sports programs. His main focus was with the Lady Raider Women's basketball team. Walt especially enjoyed working with the Lady Raiders during the years they won many conference titles and in 1993 the NCAA National Championship. The trip to visit the White House with the team and the parade in downtown Lubbock, with Walt riding in a T-Bird convertible with his 5-year old granddaughter Kathryn was one of the highlights of his career. He was a member since 1978 at Bellaire Baptist Church were he was a deacon, Sunday School Director and Sunday school teacher. Walt was active in Lions Club, being a member of Redbud Lions club since 1974, serving as President for two terms, held numerous district offices, Eye Bank President, and Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer. He wrote the Texas Lions Newsletter at several International Lions conventions, was editor of the District 2-T2 newsletter, The Windmill and in 1988-89 served as District Governor of District 2-T2. Walt was an avid baseball fan and loved attending professional games. He was able to attend games in 14 stadiums across the continent from Montreal, Canada to San Francisco. Walt is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue McAlexander, Salado, TX; daughter and son-in-law Karin and Dr. Barry Holdampf, Salado, TX; daughter and son-in-law Kris and Todd Cross, Katy, TX; and six grandchildren, Kathryn Holdampf, student at Texas Tech University, Matthew and Megan Holdampf, Salado, TX; Will, Alex and Zach Cross Katy, TX. Walt is also survived by several aunts, uncles, numerous cousins and three nieces. Walt was preceded in death by his parents. Pallbearers will be Marion "Butch" Spain, Joe Freeman, Dan Pope, Dave McNeill, Larry Hays, and Jack Barton. Memorial contributions may be made to Vista Care Hospice 2626-B South 37th St., Temple, TX 76504 or to Great Plains Lions Eye Bank 3601 4th St., Suite BAB104 HSC, Lubbock, TX 79430. Abell Funeral Home