Every summer, when the jazz festival rolled into Cincinnati, Alex Tyler would close his Walnut Hills restaurant, Alexander's, and treat performers to a Saturday morning breakfast.

        Former President George Bush and U.S. Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, D-Ohio, dined on Mr. Tyler's soul food, as did numerous famous athletes such as former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Eric Davis.

        But people didn't need to be celebrities to eat at Alexander's. Everyone was important to its owner.

        Jeroniecal Alexander Tyler died April 15 at Fort Meigs State Park in Perrysburg in a drowning accident. His boat capsized in the Maumee River. The Paddock Hills resident was 71.

        “He was so friendly and welcoming, and always there to greet the customers,” said his daughter, Carolyn Thompson of Kennedy Heights.

        Mr. Tyler opened his Reading Road restaurant in 1970. It began as a small coffee shop that served big breakfasts and soul food. He called it Alex's Honey Cooking House, named for the “honeys” of the households who do the cooking.

        Adjacent to the coffee shop was a bowling alley. As the coffee shop grew in popularity, so did the need to convert the bowling alley into a dining room.

        Mr. Tyler did that in 1983. Functioning something like a supper club, the restaurant featured live music — even at lunch. He also added a bar area.

        The restaurant's name changed to Alexander's. What didn't change was Mr. Tyler's all-inclusive attitude.

        Mr. Tyler retired in 1998 and leased his building to other restaurateurs until 2001. That's when he decided he missed the regulars and reopened his restaurant as Alexander's VIP Lounge.

        Charlotte Burke of Avondale worked for Mr. Tyler for 15 years.

        “I was with him when he closed and with him when he opened up again,” said the assistant bar manager. “There couldn't have been a better boss — or person. To know him, you loved him.”

        Born in Savannah, Ga., Mr. Tyler began working for Holsum Bakery in 1951.

        In 1953, he moved to Cincinnati and accepted a cooking position with the former Cincinnati Milling Machine Co. (now Milacron). He eventually became its executive chef.

        He left the company in 1970 to work with his wife, Columbia — also a cook — at Alex's Honey Cooking House.

        Mr. Tyler was president of the Cincinnati United Beverage Association, parliamentarian of the National United Merchants Beverage Association, past board member of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, past member of the Black Male Coalition and past member of the Avondale Community Development Council Board.

        In addition to his wife of nearly 50 years and daughter, survivors include: a son, Alex Washington of College Hill; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

        Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church, Park and Lincoln avenues, Walnut Hills. Services will be 11 a.m.Tuesday, also at the church.

        Entombment will be at Spring Grove Mausoleum.

Police draw guns on blacks
Complaints about police mostly come from blacks
Innocent kid got rough treatment
The 39 cases
Church, county may go to court
Nursing proposals languish
Xavier works toward diversity
BRONSON: Pornography victimless? Listen to these horror stories
PULFER: Are priests' victims getting any help?
SMITH AMOS: Troubled school needs to stay open
Unspent county dollars help elderly
City Council puts past rancor behind it
Democrats oppose unshared park levy
Ex-Judge Jones joins legal firm
Local Digest
Local NAACP won't join dispute
Proposed bridge protested
Restaurant owner fed the famous, but everyone was a VIP
Students get astronaut experience
Treasures found at police auction
Good News: Party honors volunteers
Hidden Valley votes against incorporation
Suburban petitioners to appeal development
Social service center facing vote this week
New Life Center may partner with college
Bumpy flight hurts five Delta passengers
CROWLEY: Maybe Senate will do right
Feds back Industrial Road widening
Ludlow puts health centers into schools
Thunder Over Louisville star-spangled