Sonny Alexander

Luther “Sonny” LaMarr Alexander, age 89, of Bowling Green Kentucky passed away on November 26, 2025.

Sonny was born November 2, 1936, in rural Harned, Kentucky to the late Margaret Lester (Marr) and Lee Alexander. Sonny was the youngest of nine children and was preceded in death by his loving and adoring brothers and sisters: Euzada Winn, David Murray Alexander, John Frances Alexander, Merlene Wright, Robert Morris Alexander, Joseph Lee Alexander, Jean Blakeman, and Doris Beauchamp. May these angels who have watched over Sonny in life embrace him in heaven.

Sonny was a 1954 graduate of Breckinridge County High School, Hardinsburg, Kentucky.  A proud Bearcat, he played basketball and baseball, ran cross country, and acted in many of the school theatre productions. He was a member of both the 1952 Bearcat basketball team that went to the State Tournament and the 1953 State Champion Cross-Country team: the first BCHS sports team to win at the state level.  Sonny was inducted into the BCHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988.

Sonny served as a Sargeant in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland.  He attended and graduated from the Kentucky School of Embalming, Louisville, Kentucky. While working at Cralle Funeral Home in Louisville, he went on a blind date with a smart and beautiful nursing student from Norton’s School of Nursing, Velda Elmore. He and Velda were married at Kerr Memorial United Methodist Church, Bowling Green, in June of 1965. Sonny and Velda made their home in Irvington where Sonny acquired and operated the Golden Arrow Cleaners. After the passing of his brother J.L. in 1979, Sonny took ownership of the Alexander Funeral Home, Irvington, until his retirement in 2008.  During his retirement years, Sonny resided with Velda in Bowling Green, after re-marrying in September of 2013.  

Sonny was an accomplished golfer and played daily, well into his 80’s.  Although he had many successes on the golf course, Sonny especially cherished the friendships he made and fostered while playing the game. In recent years, he was an active member of the Bowling Green Country Club.  

Sonny was a life-long member of the Harned United Methodist Church. He was molded by the values that were instilled in him by his parents and siblings growing up on a farm in rural Kentucky. Values that included honest & hard work, faith in the Lord, supporting your friends & neighbors, and loving your family through good times and bad. The Alexander household was full of laughter & tears, storytelling & music, and most of all love.

Sonny wasn’t wealthy or famous, never considered himself a huge success, but he touched so many lives in his 89 years.

“Remember, no man is a failure who has friends” -It’s a Wonderful Life

“My friends have overlooked my shortcomings, seen me through some dark days, and brightened up the rest of them.  I’m glad to have them. I’m honored to have them. I am lucky to have them” -Sonny/Murphy’s Romance

Sonny will be remembered for his service to the community and his neighbors, his love & faith in God, his humility, his endearing wit & warmth, his stories & joke telling, his love of music, his passion for golf, and as a beloved brother, loving husband, supportive father, and dependable friend.

Sonny is survived by his devoted wife, Velda, his loving children, Sara Leigh Alexander Dekker (Dale)and David LaMarr Alexander (Alicia), his beloved grand daughters, Margaret Leigh Dekker and Katherine Paige Dekker, step- grandchildren, John, Taylor, & Jacob Whitfill and Lindsey Whitfill Shrewsberry, seven step- great grandchildren, and many adoring nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Saturday November 29, 2025 from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM CST at the J. C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel and Sunday November 30, 2025 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST at the Alexander Funeral Home 509 Spring St Irvington, KY 40146.

Funeral Service will Be Sunday at 4:00 PM Sunday November 30, 2025 at the Alexander Funeral Home.