Captain Monroe K. Alexander

Monroe K. Alexander, 86 of Albuquerque, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2015. Monroe was born on May 8, 1928 in a homestead dugout in the Seneca community, north of Clayton, NM, the second of five children to Clarence R. and Ruth M. (Salsman) Alexander. He was an honors graduate of Clayton High School and began his career in law enforcement as a fingerprint technician with the FBI in Washington DC in 1947 and later for the New Mexico State Police in Santa Fe. He served in the US Army as an MP at Fort Sill, OK from 1950-1952. After his military service, he returned to Santa Fe where in October 1953 he was commissioned as a Patrolman with the New Mexico State Police where he enjoyed an honorable and distinguished career serving the people of New Mexico until his retirement as Captain on July 31, 1984. He had a very strong reverence for all life and blessed many New Mexico families in his state police service. In May 1954 he married Elizabeth G. "Bette" Gustafson from Minneapolis who was working as a nurse in Santa Fe. He was a charter member, first Church Council Vice-President, and first to be baptized in the newly completed Christ Lutheran Church, in Santa Fe, 1966. He served as Worshipful Master of Montezuma Lodge #1, AF&AM in Santa Fe and was DDGM and was later appointed Deputy of the Supreme Council of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the state of New Mexico. He was elected Sovereign Grand Inspector General (Scottish Rite) for New Mexico and also served as Grand Herald, Grand Sword Bearer and Grand Standard Bearer for the Supreme Council until his retirement on June 30, 1998. Monroe is survived by his son Jeff and wife Sharon of Albuquerque, and his sister Mattie Newlon, also of Albuquerque. He was preceded in death by his wife Bette in August 2002, his parents, his brother J.B., and his sisters Willie Arnett and Dorothy Burfiend. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2015 at Christ Lutheran Church, 1701 Arroyo Chamiso Rd, Santa Fe, NM with honors provided by the New Mexico State Police. Inurnment will take place at 1:30 p.m. also on Friday at Santa Fe National Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army Honor Guard, and a Masonic Graveside Service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Christ Lutheran Evangelical Church in Santa Fe, the American Diabetes Association, and/or the New Mexico Scottish Rite. FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400