Mark James Alexander Sr.

San Jose, Calif. ? Services for Mark James Alexander Sr., 93, Campbell, were at 1 p.m. May 26 at Oak Hill’s Chapel of the Oaks in San Jose. Private burial was in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose.

Mr. Alexander died Friday, May 21, 2004.

He was born Jan. 23, 1911, in Lawrence, Kan., the son of Edward and Ruby Alexander. He moved to the San Jose area in 1947.

Mr. Alexander was working on a master’s degree in fine arts at Kansas University in 1940 when he enlisted as a private. He volunteered for paratroopers and fought in Sicily and Italy as a major in command of the 2nd Battalion, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiments, 82nd Airborne Division. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel before the D-day jump into Normandy, where he was severely wounded. His commendations included the Silver Star, British Distinguished Service Order, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was later a real estate broker.

He married Mary Collins in March 1942. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Mary Jo Sparry, Los Gatos; two sons, Mark James Jr., San Jose, and Don Philip, Sandy, Utah; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.