Alexander "Alex" Robert Klemko

alexander
Alexander Robert Klemko, of Silver Spring, Md., died on Saturday, January 9, at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. He was 74. He was born on August 10, 1946 in Heidelberg, Germany. He attended Groveton High School in Virginia and received a BA in business from The George Washington University. In 1987 he married Dr. Lisa Bradley and together they had three children, Robert, Jordan and Cross. A high school thespian and a daily reader of The Washington Post, Alex aspired at an early age to become a writer, but settled on more reliably lucrative pursuits “so that my children might be whatever they want,” he said. In 1980, he started an office moving company, Moving Masters, providing relocation and storage services to commercial and government entities in the greater Washington area (“It’s your move; call the Masters.”). Headstrong and uncompromising when it came to his aspirations, Alex left the windows of his apartment open through several Maryland winters in the early days of Moving Masters, to steel himself “physically and emotionally” for the challenges of starting a business, he said. The Maryland-based company has provided jobs for thousands of men and women and continues to operate today. Alex served in the U.S. Navy aboard a supply ship during the Vietnam War and was a dedicated student of history in general and the Civil War in particular. His sons have fond memories of shooting cap guns and eating hardtack while attending Civil War re-enactments in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Alex considered Lisa his “partner in crime,” and she his, rarely passing up the spontaneous weekend jaunt. He served as chairman of the Maryland Motor Trucking Association from 2008 to 2009 and won the organization’s Man of the Year award in 2015. Alex is survived by his wife and sons, his brother, Donald, and his cherished mother- and brother-in-law, Barbara and Leland. Alex was predeceased by his mother, Antonia. A limited funeral service will be held at Money and King Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 14. His body will travel from there to a crematory in a Moving Masters semi-truck. Memorial donations may be made in Alex’s name to the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund (www.truckersfund.org)

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  1. I started working for Alex in 1992, seems like so long ago. I “grew up” with Alex. He saw me thru my marriage (and my divorce), the loss of my first son, and my two daughters who are now 22 and 19. I remember babysitting Robert, Jordan and Cross when Cross was still a baby. Alex was always so proud of his ‘boys’. We would share a lot of stories over the years. His favorites were of the family trips when the boys got older, and the vacations he would take with Lisa. I always though of Alex more as family than my boss. I gave a him hard time when he needed it, but it was always for the good of the company and what was best for Alex. It won’t be the same without him at Moving Masters. We will truly miss him.

  2. Lisa, Robert, Jordan and Cross – my most sincere sympathy. One can never prepare for this and it hits hard and in unexpected ways for a long time. Be kind to yourselves and each other as you grieve. You all created an amazing life of memories together. Love to you all.

  3. Sending heart felt condolences from my family to yours. Alex’s spark could warm the room. His memory will live in us.

  4. We send our sincere sympathy to Mr. Klemko’s family. We are friends of Jordan and know how important family is to him. We never met his Dad, but if Jordan is like him, we missed out on knowing a wonderful and caring person. May he Rest In Peace. Linda Chaney and Irene Lawlor

  5. Lisa, when you left many years ago the position of Pre-Med advisor for the UMD campus, Alex spoke in the kind of glowing terms I had rarely heard a husband use about his life’s partner. He expressed full recognition for your mothering skills, for your professional zeal and for the friendships you maintain. From the beginning, your union would bring challenges. How immensely proud you can both be that your love stood the test of time, and resulted in the accomplished three young men you raised together. To you and your young men, I send my heartfelt healing thoughts, and I include your mother, Leland and his wife, and the other members of the Klemko family.

  6. Alex was a proud member of The Alternative Board|TAB for over 10 years. He never missed a meeting, was devoted to his fellow board members and was committed to not only giving thoughtful advice but also hearing what his peers had to say. His TABees were an important part of his business family. We laughed at the 4 + syllable words he shared on a regular basis…most erudite of any of us! Gotcha Alex! I have been Alex’s business coach for a decade. We forged a strong bond based on honesty and hard work. He was so committed to his employees and loved and was proud of Lisa and his boys. We shared many laughs including the time we attended a Washington, DC industry event and competed all evening on how many interesting people we could meet and business cards we could collect! We emptied our pockets and had over 50! I won’t run a TAB meeting without thinking about Alex and his high standards for himself and his peers! And, I will be a better TAB facilitator for it! God bless you, Alex! I know you’ll have heaven’s moves happening with NO breakage! Cause that’s the Moving Master’s way!

  7. Lisa and family, heartfelt sympathy on Alex’s leaving our world. Know that his TAB friends are thinking of him and will never forget him! With Love,

  8. To Lisa and Family, I want to thank you for sharing Alex with the world. He will never be forgotten by those he touched with his humor and kindness.

  9. To the Klemko family… my heart hurts, as I write this message. Praying for your strength during this difficult time. Being speechless, I’m sending my love to your family. My best memory of Alex was when he died his hair…..Alex was a great husband, father, business professional, & a blessing to those he met.

  10. Life is always good when your boss is your friend also. I will always remember all the good times that we shared.

  11. I’ve worked with Alex on several moving projects over the years and we’ve always had a marvelous working relationship built on trust and accountability. He was one of the very few people in our business that I could count on to do the job as requested and I know that he felt the same about me. I will very much miss the wonderful man that I’ve come to know over the years and my deepest condolences are sent to his family. Andi McPherson, Bekins, Chatsworth, Ca.

  12. My deepest condolences to all of you. Sending comfort to Lisa, Robert, Jordan and Cross as you travel the ebb and flow of grief. Embrace the memories. You are all so loved and supported. Stacia Woycheck

  13. Don and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Alex’s passing. I remember him from when we were kids and our families lived across the courtyard from each other. He and my brother, Nelson, were friends in high school. My prayers go out to your family and may all the good memories of Alex get you through this difficult time. Beverley Pugh Nelson

  14. Alex worked hard, smart and fair to make a better life for his family, his employees and most everyone he met. Condolences to Lisa and the family.

  15. To the Klemkos and Bradleys, my heartaches for you. We are praying for you. May you find peace and comfort in your memories and dreams. Sending love and light. Stephanie, Myles, and Mateo

  16. It is our prayer that God will comfort you and your whole family during this sad time. May he richly bless you as you mourn, and may the light of His presence be a continual source of consolation. From The Allen Family ?? “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

  17. Please accept the most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Thoughts are with the Klemko family during this difficult time. Sincerely,

  18. It was my pleasure and honor to help support Alex and his family the past several months. He was delightful to talk to and adored his wife and was very proud of his 3 sons. I will miss our weekly conversations and know he is free of pain and at peace. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I know you will all lean on each other and get through this one day at a time. Take Care Rhea.

  19. Sending love and prayers to the Klemkos and Bradleys in this time. “I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.” — Leo Buscaglia

  20. Our journey of memories began the Day Before you Married my BFF Lisa DeMaris Bradley! They were so good that each time I was Blessed to be in your company we shared them over and over again! We always laughed so hard my stomach ached and tears flowed! Your mother tried to scare you off from marrying Lisa by saying “If you marry her your kids will be ZEBRAS” Lisa told you “ A ZEBRA, Deborah Jean, will be at the Airport, if you don’t like what you see then that’s on you” We have Laughed from the moment we first met! My tears flow now but I’m not laughing. I will miss you Alex and I love that you and Lisa created Beautiful Zebras!

  21. To the Klemko family, our heartfelt condolences for your loss. We are so saddened to hear about Alex’s passing. We will keep you all in our prayers.

  22. I was introduced to Alex several years ago to help him with risk management/ insurance for Moving Masters. Alex was very smart, a gentleman who treated me so kind. He earned my utmost respect. I recall he crossing his legs in a meeting noticing his colorful /unique socks. Yes, Gordon “I’m known for my Socks”….. I will miss you Alex. Rest in Peace. Your friend, Gordon

  23. Lisa, Warmest condolences are sent with heartfelt sympathy. Alex embraced life w/luv & exuberance. Through you & your boys, his legacy continues.-

  24. I send my sincerest condolensces. I met Alex several times and learned snatches of his biography over the years, which I have been able to fill in with what I have read over the past couple of days. May the memory of this remarkable man be a blessing to you for a long time to come.


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