Silas James Alexander, a remarkable man of 93 years, lived a life full of commitment, hard work, and a love for connecting with friends and family. Silas passed away peacefully on March 28, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. Born on October 16, 1932, in Columbus, Mississippi, his life was defined by resilience, dedication, and an enduring commitment to family and community.

He faced early challenges in life following the death of his father, James Banks Alexander, in 1937. His mother, Selena Young, pregnant at the time with Elizabeth, had to separate the six boys amongst relatives to assist with their care. Silas and his brother, Joel, came to Chicago with Louverta Gray, sister of James Banks Alexander. Silas grew up on the south side of Chicago attending elementary school in the area and eventually attending Parker High School. At Parker H.S., he met and married Geraldine Reese, and to this union was born Vynessa and James, who they jointly parented over the years after their divorce. Silas celebrated many milestones with his children, from graduations to weddings to finally becoming a grandfather to Sterling and a Great-Grandfather to Sterling II. As his Grandson has stated many times 'Pa Pa' is the wisest man I know. They shared a special bond.

At an early age, Silas started working in the construction trade, learning carpentry. During his high school years, he began working for a construction company where he bega n to develop his knowledge and skills in the industry. With an engineering mindset, he attended IIT and eventually graduated from Wilson College and Chicago Technical College with a Bachelor of Engineering Construction.

Over the next several years, he met and worked with skilled tradesmen in plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and masonry, developing his knowledge and skills in all disciplines of construction. He developed long-lasting friendships with many of these individuals and continued working with them throughout his lifetime. In the early 1960s, he founded his own company, Alexander Construction, specializing in renovation and remodeling work. During this time, he met Morri Kalish, owner of Chicago Building & Maintenance Construction (CBMC), who invited Silas to join his company as a project manager and general superintendent.

During his 22 years with CBMC, Silas oversaw housing developments in Elkhart, Indiana, as well as significant commercial renovations in the downtown Chicago area. In addition to his roles as project manager and general superintendent, he also served as building engineer for two downtown commercial properties owned by CBMC: 32 West Randolph and the Stevens Building.

Among his many accomplishments was successfully navigating the challenges posed by the Great Flood in downtown Chicago at the Stevens Building. He also played a vital role in urban renewal projects in Hyde Park, leaving an enduring mark on the community. A tour through Hyde Park reveals many developments and renovations he contributed to, including homes in Kenwood, condominium projects, and the Hyde Park Shopping Center.

Even after retiring from CBMC, he continued working on construction projects by establishing Alexander Construction Group, Inc (ACG) performing renovation and remodeling work on various single-family homes throughout Chicago. ACG also performed commercial work as a subcontractor to F. H. Paschen on Chicago Public Schools and to M BB Enterprises on various masonry projects including CTA Wilson Station. He remained active in the field until he retired at the age of 85.

In his adult years, Silas reconnected with his siblings, and they began a journey together of regular reunions and gatherings, bringing all the children together for regular gatherings in Chicago, Toledo, Springfield, and Birmingham. He and his brothers Joe, Lamar, and sister, Elizabeth, became treasured traveling companions together until they all proceeded him in death. Their reunification underscored Silas's unwavering commitment to fostering relationships and creating lasting memories.

During that time, Silas and Lamar wanted to expand those reunions. As a result they formed the Alexander-Crawford Reunion in 1988 and it has been going strong since, bringing together all the heirs of John Crawford. Over the years as he aged, he took on the role of the Patriarch of the Alexander family. Due to his failing health, he missed the last reunion in July 2025. He will be honored as one of the founders of our bi-annual reunions, as we plan our 2027 Reunion in Chicago.

Beyond his professional achievements, Silas was a master gardener who transformed his vacant lots into vibrant flower and vegetable gardens. His green thumb brought beauty and sustenance to his community while reflecting his deep connection to nature. An avid traveler with a love for history, Silas embraced opportunities to explore new places and learn about the world around him. He was a student of history and geography, with a very special National Geogra phic book collection. In his later years, you always found him at the computer, playing cards, trivia or looking up historical info. Music was his love language; he had over 1000 songs on his IPOD and his computer. Often you might hear him blasting music from classical to standard, Jazz, and R&B. When out walking, working out or even in the hospital, he always had his headphones and IPOD.

As he aged, we celebrated his strength and longevity with a 90th Birthday celebration with friends and family and most recently a party in September 2025, just because. We all have fond memories of that day. Silas leaves to cherish his memory: his children Vynessa (Matthew) and James; A loving grandson, Sterling, and great-grandson, Sterling II, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and a host of family and friends.

Silas's legacy is one of strength, intelligence, and generosity. His contributions as a builder extended beyond physical structure; he built connections among people and cultivated spaces where families could thrive. May his memory serve as a source of comfort and inspiration to all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the Alexander Family Endowment has been established to honor both of our parents who were creative in their own right in the areas of Construction and Fashion Design. We want their legacy to live on, and we thank you for celebrating their lives.

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