Don Russell Alexander died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was 53.

Born in Kosciusko, Mr. Alexander had been a Vicksburg resident since 1979. He was a 1974 graduate of Kosciusko High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1979 and a Master of Science degree in civil engineering in 1988, both from Mississippi State University. He was a candidate for the Ph.D. from the University of Texas and worked as a research civil engineer with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.

He was a member of several professional societies, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, and he was a member of the Transportation Research Board. He authored numerous engineering publications and other miscellaneous papers.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marteal Russell Alexander.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Donnell Alexander of Vicksburg; a brother, Bruce Allen Alexander of Memphis; and his father, Joe Don Alexander of West, Miss.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael Catholic Church with the Rev. P.J. Curley, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Green Acres Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 tonight at Riles Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30.

Pallbearers will be Jim Hall, Walter Barker, Bill Dorman, Pat McCaffrey, Carlos Gonzalez, Al Bush, Andrew Harrison, Terry Jobe, Tommy Carr, Robert Walker and Jeb Tingle.

Memorials may be made to St. Michael Catholic Church, 100 St. Michael Place, Vicksburg, MS 39180; to Paws Rescue, P.O. Box 13, Redwood, MS 39156; and to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213.