John Alebis entered into the service of the Lord on Friday, August 12 at the age of 90. Born on February 7, 1926, he was the first American-born son of Elizabeth Marcenas Alebis Sharkas and Bartholomew Alebis. Both parents were previously from Lithuania and immigrated to the United States in the 1920s.
John was 17 when he joined the war effort as a waist gunner on a B-17 in the Air Force. He served in the European theater at a base outside of London. After the war, he was stationed in Laredo before being honorably discharged at Fort Sam Houston. Loving the warm Texas weather, he returned to Laredo and attended Laredo Junior College, later transferring to Texas A&I University in Kingsville where he graduated with a BA and MA. There he met the love of his life, Georgia Lincecum from West Columbia, and they were married on January 12, 1952.
A very successful career followed as a teacher, principal and administrator in Falfurrias, Hebbronville and Alice. He called Alice home for 47 years and retired from the AISD in 1987. He and Georgia moved to San Antonio in 2007.
A role model and inspiration to many people, his ideas and ingenuity were the genesis of many civic and community projects, although his humility always assured that others received the credit. He served on the vestry of the Church of the Advent Episcopal Church and was a leader in Rotary, CCA, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, Food Pantry and Literacy Council. He organized the Alice Coyote Cooks, a cooking charity involving local business men, that continues today after 20 years.
One of his greatest accomplishments was founding "Get Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs" and "Tackle for Teens", programs that funded multiple academic scholarships. He also created the Alice Centennial Time Capsule which is scheduled to be opened in 2056.
John was a member of the Alice 3rd Coast Squadron and worked tirelessly on the Maxine Flournoy 3rd Coast Squadron Museum receiving two Commemorative Air Force awards. He was inducted into the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Honor in 1994 and was subsequently named Citizen of the Year in 1998. Showing a true love for high school football, he never missed a local Alice High School Coyote game in 45 years.
From his obiuary. One thing I did not know what his dedication to our football teams. At the same time I see all he committed to as he lived in Alice. Like many of the teachers we had this was a great person.
Ron McCandless (1969)
John Alebis entered into the service of the Lord on Friday, August 12 at the age of 90. Born on February 7, 1926, he was the first American-born son of Elizabeth Marcenas Alebis Sharkas and Bartholomew Alebis. Both parents were previously from Lithuania and immigrated to the United States in the 1920s.
John was 17 when he joined the war effort as a waist gunner on a B-17 in the Air Force. He served in the European theater at a base outside of London. After the war, he was stationed in Laredo before being honorably discharged at Fort Sam Houston. Loving the warm Texas weather, he returned to Laredo and attended Laredo Junior College, later transferring to Texas A&I University in Kingsville where he graduated with a BA and MA. There he met the love of his life, Georgia Lincecum from West Columbia, and they were married on January 12, 1952.
A very successful career followed as a teacher, principal and administrator in Falfurrias, Hebbronville and Alice. He called Alice home for 47 years and retired from the AISD in 1987. He and Georgia moved to San Antonio in 2007.
A role model and inspiration to many people, his ideas and ingenuity were the genesis of many civic and community projects, although his humility always assured that others received the credit. He served on the vestry of the Church of the Advent Episcopal Church and was a leader in Rotary, CCA, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, Food Pantry and Literacy Council. He organized the Alice Coyote Cooks, a cooking charity involving local business men, that continues today after 20 years.
One of his greatest accomplishments was founding "Get Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs" and "Tackle for Teens", programs that funded multiple academic scholarships. He also created the Alice Centennial Time Capsule which is scheduled to be opened in 2056.
John was a member of the Alice 3rd Coast Squadron and worked tirelessly on the Maxine Flournoy 3rd Coast Squadron Museum receiving two Commemorative Air Force awards. He was inducted into the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Honor in 1994 and was subsequently named Citizen of the Year in 1998. Showing a true love for high school football, he never missed a local Alice High School Coyote game in 45 years.
From his obiuary. One thing I did not know what his dedication to our football teams. At the same time I see all he committed to as he lived in Alice. Like many of the teachers we had this was a great person.