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AL JONES, CATHOLIC YOUTH LEADER DIES AT 93 Retired USAF Major Alphonso Beverly Jones, born on January 25, 1932, passed away on February 8, 2025 at the age of 93. Al dreamt of traveling the world and was inspired by a teacher to pursue a career in the military. This vision propelled him through Cardoza High School, where he served in the High School Cadet Corps and became a nationally ranked track star, to the University of Michigan on full scholarship, where he also served in the Naval Reserve. In 1952, Al enlisted in the recently integrated USAF and soon became an officer and a navigator. While stationed at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas, Al met the love of his life, Muriel Warren. They married in 1956 and traveled to Hawaii where they joyfully raised three children: Angela Leilani, Alphonsus, and Kimberly. Al served his country with distinction in the Vietnam War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals. He retired from the military in 1975 and began a second career as a teacher, inspiring generations of youth as a math teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Pearl City High School. Upon retirement, Al became the Director of Youth Ministry for the Hawaiian Catholic Archdiocese. In 1997, Al was honored by the Catholic Church in Hawaii with the Nicodemus Award, for his work in youth education throughout Polynesia. In 2000, Al and Muriel left their beloved Hawaii for Altadena, California. Al joined Sacred Heart Catholic Church, promptly starting a youth ministry and a chapter of the Knights of Columbus in the parish. Al lived a life of deep faith, serving as Altar Boy, Lector, Minister of the Eucharist, RCIA Teacher, and leader in the Knights of Columbus. Throughout his life, Al traveled extensively including, in recent years, to the Holy Land, Russia, Finland, Hawaii, Paris and Turkey. He loved family above all and established unique relationships with each of his three children and six grandchildren. During the pandemic Al wrote a memoir capturing his extraordinary life’s journey called Soaring: My Improbable Life (Amazon.com). Forever cherishing his memory and grateful for the example of a life well-lived are his wife Muriel; his children – Angela Leilani, Alphonsus (Kathleen), Kimberly (Stafford); his grandchildren – John, Lauren, Samantha, Taylor, Al Jr. and Leilani; his sister – Doris Dent, many beloved nieces, nephews and other family members, and a multitude of friends from the many communities he served. Al’s funeral will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Church in Altadena, CA. Condolences may be sent to Muriel Jones through the Cabot & Sons Funeral Home, 27 Chestnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91103. In lieu of flowers, donations in Al’s honor may be sent to Sacred Heart Church in support of the victims of the Altadena fires, Attn: Father Guzman, 2889 Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Altadena, CA 91001. |
