Mark B. Alexander, 76, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully on the morning of May 16, 2026, following a short stay in the hospital. He was without pain, surrounded by love.

Mark was born on January 11, 1950, in Evanston, Illinois, to Jean and Fred Alexander. He grew up in Evanston with his sisters, Jody and Sue, and attended Evanston Township High School, where he first picked up the trumpet, played in several bands, and formed the close friendships that would stay with him for the rest of his life. He went on to Miami University in Ohio, where he excelled in music, continued performing in bands, and deepened a lifelong love of jazz.

After college, Mark began his career as a copywriter at Sears. He later earned his MBA from Loyola University and went on to spend his career in the garment industry, working in nearly every corner of the business before his retirement. His work took him around the world, from across Asia to South America, as the industry's manufacturing landscape shifted over the decades. He returned from those travels with stories, perspective, and a genuine appreciation for the people he met along the way.

A true gentleman, Mark was known for his steadiness, his kindness, and his ready supply of good advice. He was a great tennis player and a patient teacher of the game, a devoted coach of his son Noah's sports teams, and the kind of father who drove him to 5 a.m. hockey practices and still made time for a game of catch in the front yard at dusk. He was just as devoted to his daughter Ariel's musical path - an accomplished musician in her own right, she followed in her father's footsteps and earned her doctorate in jazz studies, with Mark championing her every step of the way and sharing with her the love of music that shaped so much of his own life. He loved music and art, adored the three golden retrievers who shared his life over the years, and was happiest in the kitchen at the grill, and playing music.

Above all, Mark delighted in the people around him. He was rarely the one talking about himself; what lit him up was other people's good news - a friend's success, a family member's milestone, a quiet accomplishment from one of his children or grandchildren. He measured his life not by his own achievements, but by the people he stayed connected to and the good he was lucky enough to watch them do.

Mark is survived by his sisters, Jody and Sue; his children, Noah Alexander and Ariel Alexander; and his cherished grandchildren, William, Lila, Violet, and Gwen.

A celebration of Mark's life will be held this summer.  Details to follow. As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.