Robert James Alexander

Robert James Alexander died July 7, 2022, after battling dementia.  He was born on September 26, 1939, in Jackson County, North Carolina to parents Rebecca Lula Alexander and D. Cecil Alexander.  He was the oldest brother to Frances, Richard, and Carl. 

Raised on a small family farm, Robert quickly learned the value of hard work and a deep lasting love for the North Carolina mountains. His mother helped shape many of his Christian values including a strong, unwavering sense of right and wrong as well as the importance of family.  Robert was always front and center at family reunions, holidays, and other family gatherings.      

He was a proud graduate of Franklin High School and went on to attend Clemson University.  After serving in the Air National Guard, he married Joyce Brown of Clayton, Georgia and they enjoyed life together for 59 years. 

Next, Robert embarked on a career in the sand and gravel business.  He provided sand for the concrete that built I-95 through Georgia and South Carolina.  He then worked for Claussen Paving Co., later known as Southern Aggregates, in Augusta, Georgia where he served as Vice President in charge of the aggregates division. 

His entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic led him to many other ventures.  These ventures varied from unloading rip rap for the Kings Bay Naval Base to finding ways to utilize waste from paper recycling. 

He also cofounded Sand Rock Transit, a materials yard in Atlanta, and sister company Agg-Tran, LLC in Cartersville.  Later in life he established Alabama Gravel to mine river gravel for the metallurgical industry. 

Robert and Joyce have two sons, Robert (Doolin) and Mark (Taunya), and three grandchildren Eliza Duncan (Tommy), Sam, and Sutton.  

Robert was a lifelong golfer and an avid Clemson Tiger fan.  He loved attending football games until late in life. 

He enjoyed being outdoors, whether in Georgia, on Lake Keowee or in the North Carolina Mountains.  While he was proud of solving the world’s problems with friends on the porch of the Rockin’ R and watching sunsets at Lake Keowee, his favorite spot was always the North Carolina mountains! 

Robert had an infectious smile and an abundant love of life.  He will be greatly missed by his friends and loved ones.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making an online donation to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in memory of Robert James Alexander.    

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church South Campus, 4741 Carey Station Road, Greensboro, GA 30642 with Rev. Chris Laskey officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until time for the service at the church.  McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, 706-453-2626, is in charge of arrangements.  Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online register.

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