Alfred L. Jones was called to Heaven on May 19, 2016 at 93 years young.   He was the son of the late Cabell and Lena Bowers Jones of Leaksville (Eden), NC. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Jean R. Jones; his sister, Louise Beach; and his two brothers, Cabell Jr. and Howard.  He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Bonnie Eareckson and Patti Crisp; three grandsons, Sean Eareckson (Tanzer), Matthew Eareckson, and Paul Crisp, all of Hampton; his cousin, Cornelia Oliver of Eden, NC; his niece, Cheryl Johnson of SC; and four nephews, Charles Jones of HI, Evans Jones of SC, and Michael and Jeffrey Gore of VA.

In 1942 at the start of World War II, Al enlisted in the Navy.  He transferred to Naval Reserves in 1946.  In 1948, he left the Navy to work for NACA/NASA as an Electronics Engineer, developing RADSCAT instrumentation, a three-way multiplier, designing microwave remote sensing systems, intermediate frequency and digital circuits used in remote sensing instrumentation requirements, etc.  Al also taught courses in mathematics, electronics, and radio for NASA's Apprentice Program and electronics night classes for VoTech.  He repaired marine radio equipment and televisions for customers around the Peninsula.

He was a former PTA President and lifetime member for Thomas Eaton Junior High and Hampton High schools.  With his wife, he participated in Muscular Dystrophy Association fund raising activities.  After retiring from NASA in 1980, Al worked for Navidyne and Satellite Systems Corporation. Al was also a HAM radio operator for 68 years (w4okk).

Having never met a stranger, his wonderful sense of humor and love of storytelling brightened everyone's day.  Al Jones (known as "Mr. Al" by many) was deeply loved and respected by his family and friends and is sorely missed.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Friday, May 27, 2016 at Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1-2 at the cemetery.

Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.