JOHN ALEX, Obituary

By HDN Staff

JOHN ALEX

HINGHAM  John Nicholas Alex, 88, died in Mesa, Ariz., on

Sunday, Feb. 18, after an extended illness.

Services will be Friday, Feb. 23, at the Sixth Avenue

Christian Church in Havre with the Rev. Rowlie Hutton and

the Rev. Tim Hauge officiating.

Alex was born in Kensal, N.D. to Anthony Joseph and Nettie

(Greb) Alex on July 27, 1912. The family moved to Hingham

that December.

Alex graduated from Hingham High School in 1933, and

married Phoebe Dolph in Havre on May 27, 1939.

He was a standout on the school's basketball team, and

continued to be involved in independent basketball and

baseball after he graduated. He was an avid sports fan

throughout his life.

Alex spent his entire life in farming and ranching south of

Hingham until declining health and eyesight prevented his

continuing in his favorite pastime. He ran several bands of

sheep during the 1940s and '50s.

Alex saw farming go from teams of horses to machinery with

modern comforts in his time. He had little formal musical

training, but could play several instruments, and his many

friends knew him as the life of any party. Alex also had an

affinity for befriending the younger generation.

Alex was preceded in death by his parents and four

brothers, Eddy, Harry, Anthony and Glenn.

He is survived by his wife, Phoebe B. Alex of Hingham;

sons, J.R. of Havre and Mesa, Nick of Hingham and Gene of

Missoula; grandchildren, Jolee Alex, Nicole Alex, Daniel

"Duke" Alex, Dawn Martin, Scott Martin, and Josh Alex;

sisters, Myrtle Ditmar of Rudyard, Eleanor Rathbun of Havre

and Mildred Sedivy of Havre; numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to the donor's choice.

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