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 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Retired U.S. Navy Commander Wayne Alton (Al) Jones, 74, passed away on April 4, 2012 due to complications following surgery at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio.
He was born June 17, 1937 and raised in Burlington N.C.
He was predeceased by his parents, John A. and Hazel B. Jones.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Jean C. Jones, of Virginia Beach; his son, Jeffrey Brian Jones and his wife, Jules, and granddaughter, Jolina, of San Clemente, Calif.; his daughter, Carolyn Cross and grandchildren Erica and Tyler of San Diego, Calif.; his sister, Barbara J. Swanner and her extended family of Fort Mill, S.C.; his stepson, Chip Ellis and his wife Mary and daughter, Margot, of Corona, Calif.
He graduated from Burlington High School in 1955, Catawba College (BA) in 1959, and George Washington University (MSA) in 1981. Cmdr. Jones entered the Navy in August 1959 and served on active duty for 27 years. He earned his wings as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in 1963 and flew as a Radar Intercept Officer in the F4 Phantom fighter aircraft. After initial F4 training with VF-121, NAS Miramar, San Diego, Calif., he was assigned to Fighter Squadron 92 (VF-92) there and deployed aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61) to Southeast Asia, where he participated in combat missions in Vietnam. Later during that squadron tour, he experienced flying twice the speed of sound (Mach 2) on two high altitude intercept training missions under the control of VX-5, NAS Pt. Magu Test and Evaluation. In 1969 he completed refresher F4 training in VF-101 then joined VF-41 at NAS Oceana, Va., making two deployments to the Mediterranean aboard the USS F.D. Roosevelt (CV-42). From 1976-78 he served on the USS Forrestal (CV-59) as Strike Operations Officer, deploying again to the Mediterranean.
Shore based assignments included NAS Pensacola, Fla., first as an NFO instructor then as aide to the Chief of Naval Air Training; staff, Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (CINCUSNAVEUR), London, England, and staff, Commander in Chief Atlantic (CINCLANT), Norfolk, Va. His final tour was with U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarctica, as Officer in Charge, Detachment Christchurch, New Zealand, from which he retired in 1986.
Medals received during his career include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service, and two Navy Commendations, one with Combat V, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, and Antarctic Service.
After retiring, Al enjoyed working independently, earning a real estate license and managing his rental properties in Virginia and North Carolina. He enjoyed his hobbies which included guitars, vintage cars and riding his motorcycle.
A private memorial service celebrating Al's life with friends and family has been planned. Burial will be private at a later date, with full military honors conducted at Arlington National Cemetery.
Local information provided by Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.
Published in TheTimesNews.com from May 1 to May 2, 2012
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