Obituary: Alexander, Himes Hansen
Age 55
Himes passed away peacefully at home with his family around him after a 14 month battle with cancer.
He was born on August 15, 1957 to Henry and Clara Alexander in San Jose, CA.
Himes was a devoted husband and loving father.
He is survived by his loving wife, Eugenie; one daughter, Felicia (Chris) Hayden and grandson Thaddeus of Phoenix, AZ; two sons, Himes Jr. of New York and Zachary of Spokane; brothers, Mall (Deborah) Alexander of Pittsburg, CA, Henry Alexander Jr. of Tracy, CA, and Joseph Alexander of Patterson, CA; sisters Gloria Robinson of Malvern, Arkansas, Selina (Bill) Slater of Spokane, Nadine Turner of Atlanta, GA, Mary (IV) Reeves of Puyallup, WA, Darlene (Dale) Andrus of Salem, OR, Roberta (Keith) Douglas of Tracy, CA, Diola (Terry) Kerr of Idaho Falls, ID; and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his dad and grandparents.
Himes graduated from James Lick High School in San Jose, CA in 1975.
He continued his education at San Jose City College and San Jose State University.
He also played football while attending college.
Himes joined the Navy and served for 14 years.
While working for the Navy he worked at and enjoyed recruiting people to go in the military.
He worked at Santa Clara County Juvenile Detention in San Jose, CA and Spokane County Juvenile Detention until he retired in 2012.
While working in juvenile detention, Himes loved teaching groups, encouraging reconciliation with their families and emphasizing the importance of forgiveness, unconditional love and humility.
Himes was ordained as a minister in the A.M.E. Church in 2005.
He loved preaching the gospel.
He was a member of the choir and among other duties at church, taught Sunday school and the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class.
Himes also loved working with children.
He was the spiritual leader for the Alexander family.
Himes loved sports; he played football in high school and coached track and field and football in San Jose, CA and Spokane, WA.
He also coached his daughter’s softball team.
His voice could often be heard while watching his children’s, nephews, and nieces sporting events, occasionally being reprimanded by officials for his “help”.
Himes always wore a big smile on his face and saw the good in everyone that he met.
Himes made a difference in our lives by encouraging us to be better people.
He exhibited physical, mental and spiritual strength.
As a friend, Himes was always available for help, be it spiritual counseling or physical labor.
His bartering abilities, inherited from his father, were astonishing to those who knew him and saw him at work.
Whenever one needed an item, often it was a simple comment of “I need the Himes’ price” that would lower a price significantly with the salesperson.
Himes had a ministry not only prior to his battle with cancer, but through his fight with the disease.
While his physical strength was taken, his mental and Godly strength continued to flourish.
As a father, friend, co-worker and minister he will be tremendously missed.
The hole in our hearts is as large as Himes himself.
The Alexander family would like to thank Dr. Newman and the staff at Rockwood Cancer Center, Dr. Hatheway and the staff at Northwest Pain Management and his Bethel AME church family.
It is often said in times like these “it is the life you lived and the service you gave.”
Himes lived a life of service.
He touched many people’s lives.
He loved his family.
A memorial celebration of Himes’ life will be held at Bethel AME Church, 645 S. Richard Allen Court, at 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.
Viewing of the body is on Monday, March 4, 2013, at Heritage Funeral Home from 12:00 to 5:00 PM at 508 N. Government Way.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emmanuel Family Life Center, 605 S. Richard Allen Court, Spokane, WA 99202.
Community Cremation and Funeral Spokane Valley 13127 E. Sprague, Spokane Valley, WA 99216 509-926-2020 www.CommunityCremationandFuneral.com