Alexander James Luoma

June 4, 2023.

Sander was born in Ithaca, New York, on October 22, 1952, and grew up in southern Florida. He

graduated from Stranahan High School in Fort Lauderdale in 1970. He continued his education

at Florida State University, where he graduated in 1974 with a degree in Theatre, minoring in

Mathematics.

A self-taught computer programmer, Sander held several positions involving program coding

and database management in both the public and private sectors, finishing his career with the

Florida Department of Law Enforcement in 2013.

A man of great intellectual curiosity, Sander was a writer, musician, actor, and director. After

acquiring a piano in high school, he taught himself to read and play music and became

proficient playing classical guitar, as well as rock, folk, Americana, and other musical genres.

While a student at FSU, Sander served as an accompanist for the university’s Department of

Dance. His musical skills and improvisational talents allowed him to play music with about any

other musician upon first meeting (and without written music). Later in life, he developed an

interest in electronic music and collected various (now vintage) synthesizers, sequencers,

samplers, and keyboards.

All four of Sander’s grandparents were immigrants from Finland and he always took pride in his

Finnish heritage. In all that he did, he strove to exemplify the Finnish virtue of sisu (unwavering

tenacity).

Sander was predeceased by his parents, George A. Luoma and Audrey W. Winstead, and his

sister, Kathryn A. Luoma. He is survived by his brother, Robert Luoma of Washington, D.C. and

many friends in Tallahassee and elsewhere.

A memorial gathering is pending. Sander lived for many years near Tallahassee's Lake Ella and

found walking around the park a peaceful and rejuvenating pastime. Commemorative donations

in Sander’s name may be made to the Tallahassee Friends of Our Parks Foundation, Memorial

Commemorative Tree Program, 1201 Myers Park Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tallahassee-cremation for the Luoma family.