Mike Alexander

William Michael Alexander, 62, of Grants Pass, died on Tuesday morning, February, 23, 2010, in Redmond, Ore. "Mike" was born on January, 31, 1948, in Santa Monica, Calif. His parents, John and Cora Alexander, raised him in Culver City, Calif., and he graduated from Venice High School. He attended Santa Monica College, California State University at Los Angeles, and received an associate's degree in arts and business management from Rogue Community College. Mike moved to Oregon in 1973 and lived in Grants Pass for the last 21 years. For many of those years, he worked for the Bureau of Land Management and especially enjoyed his time as a dispatcher for wildland fires and other incidents, where he was thought of as the "go-to guy" who could always find a way to get the job done. At the time of his death, he was attending a training class to help him better serve and assist the firefighters he cared so much about. He loved the outdoors, and nothing made him happier than tuna fishing or rafting with family and friends while listening to his favorite music. Mike was always willing to help those in need and had a kind and generous heart. He will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and all who knew him. Mike is survived by his wife of 16 years, Kathy; sister, Chrys Corbett, of Culver City. He also leaves his son, John Alexander and his wife, Lynette; daughter, Antonette Rohrer and her husband, Robert; step children, Crystal and Travis, of Kansas City, Mo. and Logan Sporg of Ind. Mike was blessed to have nine grandchildren, Elizabeth, Nichelle, Kelsea, Faith, Robert, Alexis, Desiree, Denis, and Justin. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Alexander. Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb.27, at 12:30 p.m. at the Josephine County Fair Grounds. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation at 2049 Airport Way, Boise, ID 83705.