Jimmy Alexander, 47; PaliHi Grad, Town’s Popular “Weatherman”

Jimmy Alexander, an employee of Ralphs Market in Pacific Palisades, died unexpectedly in November after collapsing at his home in Santa Monica. He was 47. Alexander, who was also known around town as ‘Jimmy the Weatherman,’ attended Paul Revere Junior High School and Palisades High School. ‘I first met Jim when I was 13 and had just started surfing,’ Palisadian Richard Evans wrote in an e-mail to the Palisadian-Post. ‘Back then, there was no good forecast for waves. Jim would always assure me of the systems brewing off the coast that would bring us either wind or ground swell and on what days the waves would peak. I always admired the dedication he had for his passion.’ ‘The surfers loved him because every day he brought a surf report to school,’ Post graphic designer Tom Hofer said of his high school classmate. Chris Demos, the service manager at Ralphs, said that he had known Alexander for more than 25 years. Alexander had started working in the store in the 1980s, stopped for a while, but returned several years ago. ‘He loved the Palisades and especially liked participating in the Fourth of July parade,’ Demos said. ‘We all know how much he loved the weather and really connected with everyone through it. He not only knew the local weather, but he’d see someone who had a relative in another part of the country and he’d know the forecast for that area as well. ‘He was a great guy and I loved seeing him at Ralphs,’ said Pepperdine’s Vice-Chancellor of Athletics Sam Lagana, who graduated with Alexander from PaliHi in 1980. ‘If I told him that I was going to New York, he’d send me e-mails about the weather in New York.’ ‘I’ve worked at the store for over 30 years and I can’t recall anyone who brought a smile to as many faces as Jimmy did,’ Demos said. Alexander is mourned by his wife Margie and his teenage daughter Jasmine. He was proceeded in death by a sister, Julie. There was a small gathering for Alexander and his father (who passed away on December 29) on January 25 at a private home in Mar Vista.