Alan Gilbert Jones

Alan Gilbert Jones, 78, passed away peacefully in Savannah, Georgia, with Sally, his wife of fifty-three years, at his side.

Alan was a formidable figure. He rose from his first job as an auto mechanic to CIO and Corporate Officer of AT&T. He was brilliant, yet possessed a particular humility.

Alan grew up in Paoli, Pennsylvania, and studied at Villanova and Temple Universities, ultimately earning a master's in operations research. After serving in the Army, his rise in corporate America took him and his family from Pennsylvania to Illinois, Oregon, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and around the world on business trips.

He was an adventurer with notable mechanical empathy. Alan was an instrument-rated commercial pilot and flight instructor who built his own airplane. He was also a skilled sailor, woodworker, race car driver, golfer, and motorcyclist. His logbooks documented transcontinental flights, full navigation of the Intracoastal Waterway, blue water voyages, and dozens of racetracks.

Fishing, hunting, wine, and books anchored a rich social life that spanned the New Jersey beaches and bays, the Pocono Mountains, Newport and Narragansett Bay, and the Savannah Lowcountry. Later in life, drones became a passion-occasionally annoying those closest to him. Alan's serious demeanor was seasoned with Churchillian one-liners, and he was always ready to debate a favorite read.

In retirement, Alan applied his executive skills to the nonprofit world, serving on the boards of the United Way, Newport's Seamen's Church Institute, and Savannah's First Tee, where he was also a coach. Later, he lived a fit and full life despite the challenges of Parkinson's.

Adventure may have defined his journey, but family defined his purpose. He is survived by his wife Sally, son Ryan, grandson Wyck, and brother Donald Jones and family, who were the true center of his life. He led by example, and his hallmarks-telling the truth, focused problem solving, and doing things "the right way"-will remain with them and all who knew him.

At Alan's request, services will be for immediate family only.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to First Tee: https://firsttee.org/donate/.