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Marvin “Lee” Alexander, 67, of Spring, Texas, passed away on August 18, 2026. He died peacefully in his sleep in the home he shared with his longtime girlfriend, Sheila Schlesener.

Lee was born to Marvin and Ruth Alexander on August 3, 1959, at Fort Ord, California. He was the second of four children. His father served in the Navy, passing along to Lee an early love of travel and a deep respect for military service. Lee attended Texas A&M University, graduating with the Class of 1981 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He later earned master’s degrees from the Air War College and Troy University.

Upon his graduation, Lee accepted a commission to the United States Air Force to live out his childhood dreams of flying jets. And, in his 26 years of service, he did exactly that. He served in conflicts like Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2008, he retired at the rank of Colonel at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, Louisiana. After his military retirement, Lee continued his love of flying as a pilot with United Airlines until retiring in 2024.

In 1985, he became a father to his daughter, Sara Alexander. In 2010 and 2013, he became a grandfather to Braden and Benjamin Vidotto. He was known to them as “Peepaw,” despite his efforts to establish a more dignified nickname. In recent years, Sheila’s grandchildren also adopted “Peepaw,” so it is safe to say he was never going to win that battle.

Those who knew Lee would often describe him as a “walking encyclopedia.” His innate curiosity meant he had an impressive amount of information on a remarkable variety of topics. His natural verbosity and social personality made him a go-to person for advice, information, and more than a few lengthy conversations. He believed in never living a sedentary life, either physically or mentally. He was a voracious reader and committed to self-sufficiency, so he never stopped learning new things.

Lee was also known for his love of golf, travel, and gardening. Most days, he could be found outside tending to his yard or on the golf course. He enjoyed coffee on the patio with Sheila—even during the hottest summer months—“babying” his plants and picking the vegetables he grew.

His kindness was not reserved for family but extended to anyone lucky enough to call him a friend. He was a natural caretaker of the people in his life. He loved cooking for a crowd and hosting people for a meal. He was also quick to help someone with car maintenance, a household problem, or whatever unexpected issue happened to arise. He shared a particularly special bond with Marissa Hafner, who lived with him for several years while attending school and working. Though not related by blood, Lee cared for Marissa as another daughter, and she remained an important part of his life.

Lee is survived by his father, Marvin W. Alexander; daughter, Sara Alexander; son-in-law, Kenneth Gorrian; grandchildren, Braden “Hayden” Vidotto and Benjamin “Benji” Vidotto; siblings, Katherine Alexander, Susan Magg, and Walter Alexander; nephews, Aaron Bell and Eli Alexander; niece, Eliza Alexander; his longtime girlfriend, Sheila Schlesener;

He is also survived by members of Sheila’s family who became part of his own: her mother, Doris Duncombe; her children and their families, Justin, Rikki, and Avery Scantlan, and Brittany Schlesener, Jimmy Bos, and Audrey Schlesener-Bos; and her brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Cindy Duncombe.

A memorial service celebrating Lee’s life will be held Thursday, August 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Klein Funeral Home in Tomball, Texas. His cremated remains will be interred with military honors at a later date.