Carl Roe Alexander

Carl Roe Alexander of Houston, Texas, was born in Austin on May 29, 1938 and passed away on April 10, 2022. Those who knew him called him alternately Beau, Ca-ro-kay, or Mr. C. He is survived by his wife Michele Zacks, Mary Jo Henderson (sister with whom he always shared a close connection), Leslie Alexander (daughter), Bryan Wallace (grandson; Spouse Chelsea Wallace), Lily and Gavin (great grandchildren), and Graham Keeney (grandson). Beau enjoyed holidays spent with his nieces and their partners: Pat Hill (Spouse Roger Hill), Peggy Martin Dailey, Laura Henderson Strain (Spouse Vernon Strain), Penny Owens (Spouse Ray Owens), Donna Henderson Hulet (Spouse Terry Hulet), and his nephew Mike Henderson (Spouse Paula Henderson), and their children and grandchildren.

Beau was predeceased by his parents, Era Cox (mother) and Harley Kay (step-father), and Carl Burditt Alexander (biological father); Ann Alexander (wife), Becky Alexander (daughter), and Nathan Keeney (grandson). Other beloved family were cousins Leigh Ann Connett, Melissa Parker, and Dolfaliene (Dolly) Gant. While dating Connie Carpenter, a high school classmate, he claimed a few members of her family, Kevin and Deirdre Carpenter, as dear friends that he considered family.

Born in Austin, Texas, where his mother worked at the Texas School for the Deaf, he had the stature and voice of a long, tall Texan. He had a keen sense of style that he developed working in his mother’s clothier shop. His early life was spent in West Columbia, Texas where he developed a close friendship and made mischief with Jesse Whitaker, with whom he later spent two years in the army. He spent so much time at the Whitaker home that he was considered family by all of Jesse’s siblings and their mother who, according to Beau, made exceptional fried bologna sandwiches. Growing up, he frequently accompanied his father Harley, a Baptist minister, on his visits to families and churches around East Texas. They also went fishing in the area. Part of his childhood was spent in Houston’s East End visiting relatives and exploring.

Beau led a fascinating, adventurous, and very active life. He deeply loved his family, Ann, Becky, and Leslie, and also took on guardianship of Fiona Jane Jones. To provide for his family, he worked a variety of interesting jobs, until he found his fit as a petroleum engineer. While working in El Paso, Texas, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Texas history at the University of Texas El Paso. Later, they all lived for a time in Arizona, enjoying the unique landscape throughout the state.

The quintessential extrovert, he never met a stranger he didn’t know and like. Carl was a nester who filled his home with precious art deco glassware, cocktail mixers, and artwork he collected. He loved to entertain guests in his home, telling fun and entertaining stories – some might say “tall tales” – of his experiences traveling and working all over the world. Work stints included drilling sites in Brazil and in civil war-torn countries, such as Iran and Nigeria, and in the Philippines, Singapore, and the U.S. Gulf Coast and Midwest. He was quite knowledgeable about civics and politics, about which he had strong and well-founded opinions.

Among his ever growing “active” pursuits, Carl loved parachuting, camping, and hiking. He hiked Mount Shasta and took cycling trips across the globe (his favorites: Czechoslovakia, Arizona), with Bayou City Outdoors (BCO) club, of which he was a founding member. A committed cyclist, he did cyclocross racing, rode several years in the Houston-to-Austin MS150, and even did a bit of mountain biking. Once retired from J & W Engineering, his time was even more consumed with all manner of reading – particularly Texas history. Road trips in the Southwest and other travel always featured stops at nature trails, local museums, and cafes.

He shared a special partnership and life with Michele Zacks, proudly introducing her as his wife. Initially, Michele got him hooked on kayaking, then he got her out backpacking and canoe-camping and introduced her to road bikes. They trained together with BCO and rode the MS150. He loved cooking and lived for a significant period in a country home in Cold Spring, Texas, where he ranched and farmed. He read a great deal about plants, knowledge he used to build a fabulous vegetable garden at his Houston home. His okra plants were notably prolific. He was a fan of barbecuing and prepared many lovely, elaborate dinners to share with company on their Houston patio.

For seven years, Carl and Michele divided their time between Houston and Arizona. He was always known by his neighbors, was active in various local civic associations, and proudly hosted Neighbors Night Out at their Houston residence. While in Tucson, he served as a volunteer ranger in Sabino Canyon at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains and cycled many hilly and long-distance local routes. After moving to the greater Phoenix area to follow Michele in her work at Arizona State University, he enjoyed sharing campus life (i.e., poke on the patio) with her. They cycled the canal paths and had many date nights out for cocktails and dining; or at the movies, symphony, and art openings. During the pandemic, Carl and Michele returned full time to Houston, where he continued to hone his mixology skills. On August 11, 2021, the 12th anniversary of their first date, Michele and Carl finally exchanged vows and had their relationship blessed in a beautiful and peaceful setting, presided by Chaplain Ali Candir, which was followed by a Zoom reception from their home on Hummingbird Street.

His passing leaves this world a little less bright today. However, in line with his wishes, today and going forward we celebrate Carl Roe’s accomplishments, as well as his radiant, exuberant love for life. He will be laid to rest in a private graveside ceremony with Leslie, Bryan, and Michele in attendance.