THE LIFE & LEGACY
OF A LEADER

JC was born to Lilly (Abernathy) Bransford Alexander (TX) and Julius C. Alexander (SC) on January 13, 1922 in Blythe, Riverside County, CA. His maternal grandparents were Ralph Abernathy (AL) and Virginia (Luke) Abernathy (KS). His paternal grandparents were William Franklin Alexander (SC) and Mariah (Sutherland) Alexander (SC).  JC received both his primary and secondary education between Blythe and Brawley, CA.  During the 4th grade he began taking violin lessons and continued playing until he reached high school.  He attended Palos Verde high school in Blythe, CA where he graduated in 1940.  While in high school he was a standout in basketball and football. As quarterback in the last game of his senior year he played the last quarter with a broken finger.  JC was living in Blythe before he moved with his mom Lilly, sister Lillyus, and stepfather William H. Clark to Casa Blanca, Riverside, CA in 1941.