Frank Steele Jones

Frank Steele Jones died on Wednesday September 18, 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama, following a fierce and swift contest with melanoma. By his side were his sister, Julia J. Reynolds , his two children, Connor Steele Jones and Claire Elizabeth Jones, and his close friend, W. David Dick.

Frank was born on January 28, 1960 in Anchorage, Alaska to Robert Steele and Suzanne Watters Jones. As the son of a military family, he spent his childhood and adolescence in a variety of places including Germany, England, and Pine Bluff, Arkansas before settling in Tampa, Florida where he graduated from Chamberlain High School. He attended Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida where he received his undergraduate degree in World History. In between his undergraduate and graduate studies, he entered the U.S. Army for a four-year tour following graduation where he served as an armor officer in Germany. Frank subsequently attended Florida State University College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1990.

Following law school, he worked for a medical malpractice firm in Tallahassee for a number of years before marrying and relocating to Birmingham, Alabama where worked as an attorney guardian ad litem for the State of Alabama Mental Health System. He next served as counsel with the Birmingham Housing Authority. In the early 2000s he joined the law practice of Sexton, Cullen & Jones. In 2007, Frank created Regency Title & Closing LLC, the focus of his legal practice until his death. Frank also pursued a variety of other business interests in hospitality as part owner of Red Bike Coffee & Roasters and Brennan's Irish Pub.

Frank enjoyed life fully, and his love and devotion to his children was a driving force behind everything he did. He wanted them to have the curiosity, courage, and means to pursue their dreams. His intellect and energy, his love for people and his devotion to justice were central to Frank's character. He was adventurous, creative, bright, and sought out opportunities to explore new places and activities throughout his life. Frank was an avid reader and devoured science and fantasy fiction, US and world history, the classics, biographies and foreign affairs. There was hardly a subject on which he could not voice an intelligent and informed opinion, benefited by his phenomenal powers of recall. Respect and love for his fellow man guided his strong sense of justice in business and community projects, and motivated his frequent pro bono work.

Frank is survived by his children Connor Steele Jones and Claire Elizabeth Jones, his sister Julia J. Reynolds (Glenn), as well as extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to any of the following: Melanoma Research Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the National Wildlife Federation, or Firehouse Ministries.
Instead of his desired (illegal and hazardous) Viking funeral pyre boat send-off, an Irish wake will be held on October 19, 2024 from 4:00pm-7:00pm in Birmingham, AL at the Smooth Rock Café at 1940 Stonegate Drive, Vestavia Hills, AL.