Born and bred in West Seattle, Al Jones passed from this world February 17, 2015 in Boise, Idaho. Born May 2, 1932, the only child of Lucien and Louise (Hillier) Jones, Al spent his life around the waters of Seattle, Washington.
Al appreciated growing up on Alki with a great group of kids having wonderful adventures - many remained lifelong friends. He attended local schools and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1950.
His hours spent on the waterfront made him a fan of the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest. His love of Puget Sound led to frequent trips on the Princess Marguerite to Victoria B.C., and to volunteer for the Security Committee at the annual Sea-Fair Hydroplane races and the Virginia V Steamship Foundation. Throughout his life Al took every opportunity to drive along Beach Drive and Alki Avenue so he could see what was going on with the ships and the ferries.
He served in the US Navy in post war Korea, coordinating recreation activities for our sailors on the USS Essex. Al continued his career in recreation with the YMCA in Seattle/West Seattle and then at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island. He left the “Y” and went to work for the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. In 1979 he took a part-time position in the Circulation Department at the West Seattle Herald and continued working there long after he retired from the city.
Al enjoyed working with young people. At the West Seattle Herald, he hired and trained hundreds of boys and girls as newspaper carriers and enjoyed working with them and their families. Working with young carriers was always rewarding and interesting. In one incident, a very upset gentleman in Al’s district called to report the carrier had written in freshly poured cement at said gentleman’s residence. Asked if he had seen the carrier do this, said subscriber replied, “No.” Then asked why he thought it was his carrier, he responded, “He wrote his name in the cement!” Hence a visit to this gentleman by a very sheepish boy and Al Jones. After 29 plus years, Al retired in September of 2009 when the carrier program ended.
A fan of the performing arts, Al enjoyed the opera, symphony, ballet and theater. He was an avid gardener and many friends and neighbors enjoyed the fruits of his labor. A dog lover, Al rescued several Dalmatians, his favorite breed, and enjoyed their company and walking them at Lincoln Park near his home. A yearly trip with friends to La Push, WA to enjoy the ocean was a must. Several Alaskan Cruises enjoyed with friends brought Al much joy, including memories of his navy days on ship, and amazement of the beautiful cruise ships and gorgeous scenery. Al spent his life helping develop and enrich the life of the community around him.
A proud Dad and Grandpa, Al is survived by his son, Terry Jones, Terry’s wife Jo Ann, and his grandchildren, Mack and Sydney, of Boise. Al spent his last year near his family in Boise. Happily, he was able to get out and about more often, which he enjoyed.
No formal services will be held at Al’s request. That just wasn’t his style. Those who knew him loved him. He couldn’t be with us forever, but we can keep the memories. He will rest near the places he loved in West Seattle.
