Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Al J. Cone Jr.

Al Cone Obituary

Family-Placed Obituary

AL J. CONE, Jr. November 26, 1920 - August 22, 2008 Successful lawyer, celebrated community leader and decorated war hero died Friday morning, August 22 at the Legacy House Hospice in Ocala, FL. He was 87. Cone, born in Levy County, FL attended the University of Florida where he earned his BSBA in 1943. He immediately shipped out to the front line in WWII. After a distinguished career serving his country, where he received medals for valor, including British Military Cross, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, and several Purple Hearts, Cone returned to law school at the University of Florida, presided as president of Blue Key, and graduated in 1950. Upon graduation from law school, he accepted an associate professorship of Law at UF, teaching Constitutional Law, Municipal Corporations, Legal Bibliography, and Legislative drafting. Al joined the insurance defense firm of Jones and Foster in West Palm Beach. Al eventually determined that he wanted to protect the average citizen, and began his long, distinguished career as a plaintiffs lawyer. He was a Senior Partner of the 20 member law firm of Cone, Wagner, Nugent, Johnson, Roth and Romano for over 25 years. More judges were a product of his law firm than any other firm in the state of Florida. During Al's career in West Palm Beach, he was the President of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Founder and President of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, now known as the Florida Justice Association, a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, International College of Trial Lawyers, International Society of Barristers. Some of his many accomplishments include being listed in 'The Best Lawyers in America', 1987-1997, Woodward and White; He was voted as one of the 'Best Lawyers in the U.S.' by Town and Country Magazine in May, 1985. Listed as 'Men of Achievement', Eagle Hall of Fame Award, 1990; Southern Trial Lawyers Association War Horse Award, 1989; Special Leadership Awards from the Academy of Florida Trail Lawyers, 1977-1978; and he is the recipient of the Roscoe Pound Foundation award. In 1989, Al decided to retire to his north Florida 'roots' so he bought a farm in Ocala. But unable to retire for long, Al began practicing law in Ocala. In addition to his law practice he founded the Friendship Club of Ocala, a monthly gathering of individuals from all racial backgrounds who met to discuss mutual community issues, served on the board of Rotary Club, Tiger Bay Club and was an active member of the Interfaith Alliance Group and Junto. Described as a voracious reader and selfless individual, Cone unsuccessfully campaigned for a Florida Senate seat in 1996. Cone is survived by his wife, Helen; five children; Carolyn Zackrie (Bob-deceased), Douglas Cone (Martha), Steven Cone (Debra), Victoria Cone, and Clark Cone (Taya), and six grandchildren: Aaron Zackrie, Tamera Cone, Carrie A. Cone, Nicholas Benoist, Stead Cone, and Clark Cone, II. In an opt-ed article in the Ocala Star-Banner, Cone wrote about partisan divisions: 'Lets try reason, restraint, generosity of thought and good manners in the old-fashioned, Éway. We might be pleasantly surprised at what courtesy and fair play can accomplish. A Memorial Service to celebrate a life well lived will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, September 05, 2008 at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches, 900 Brandywine Rd., West Palm Beach, FL, 33409. For directions call 561- 687-5411. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Palm Beach Post on Sep. 3, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Al Cone

21 Entries

John Considine

September 1, 2017

I leave the practice of law and go off to serve as minister of a church for several years and my old friend Al Cone passes on. Sonofagun. Al, I loved your kindness, warmth, humor and professionalism. I was a young lawyer and Member of the Florida House of Representatives and you were always so kind and supportive to me.

Many blessings to you old friend, in your great ongoing spiritual adventures.

John

October 7, 2012

Although you have been gone for four
years, Roger, Julie and I miss you so
much.
We all had such good times with you and
Imogene. We experienced many things
including the water plant and Orange
Springs. We enjoyed you as our neighbor
and friend upon your move to Ocala.
I know your spirit will know how much
we care. Love, Jessica and Roger

Vincent & Mary Mitchell

September 15, 2008

My wife and I are so fortunate to have enjoyed the fellowship and friendship of this great man. We are saddened to learn of his passing. May his family forever know how much he was loved and admired by the family of Vince & Mary Mitchell, Ocala, FL. We can never forget that he took a case in his old age that several lawyers in town would not bother getting involved in. With his help we settled my wife's claim against the U.S. Census Bureau. He also helped us with other legal issues between 2000 and 2005, always giving us wise counsel. Thank God for all the decent men and women like Al Cone. His good deeds will live on into eternity. We met Al for the first time at the Ocala Friendship club in 2000--the year after we moved to Florida from Virginia. Since then we have been blessed to share several lunches with him and visits to his law offices. He was always intensely curious about all subjects and on one occasion gave us a copy of a book he had written. Needless to say, we will miss our good friend very much and hope to one day meet some of his wonderful family. He always spoke so highly of them all, especially his son who was an educator like us. God's blessings always upon your family, and may His divine will be done in all our families. That would surely make Al happy.

Deborah Sparkman

September 11, 2008

I had the pleasure of working with Al in Ocala. He was such an amazing man. He came to work everyday well into his 80's. I nicknamed him the "Energizer Bunny" because he was always on the go. I will miss my dear friend terribly.

Steve Rothenburg

September 6, 2008

Al,
I love you so much.
Steve Rothenburg

Ed & Valyne Fortaw

September 6, 2008

We are sad to hear of the passing of Al. He was a very interesting man. Our deepest sympathy goes to Clark, Taya, Steed and ClarkII as well as others of the family.

John/Nancy Romano

September 6, 2008

The SPIRIT of Al J. Cone will live on forever. Brave & kind & caring & brilliant & always thinking of others! He touched us all!

Shari Frimer Thomas J Heaphy

September 5, 2008

Our condolences to you and your faimily, we spent quite a bit of enjoyable time reading your fathers accomplishments and his dedication to his work. Our prayers our with you.

George L. Hudspeth

September 4, 2008

In our lifetime our paths cross millions of people. My path crossed with Al Cone in 1977 and my life will always be changed for the better because I met him. I can't think of a nobler person than Al. At our first meeting I knew that we would be friends for a lifetime and I am proud to call Al a friend. Al never turned away any person I sent him in need. It didn’t matter what their nationality, creed, color, or ability to pay was Al always found a way to give them the representation they needed. Over the years Al and I worked on many political campaigns together electing several highly qualified candidates. I think the best times with Al was when we were just having fun with our families, going to the Miami Dolphins football games in his motor home, attending a party, or just relaxing at his home in Golfview. I got a call from Al one day and he asked me to meet him for lunch at the Governors Club. He told me he had bought some land in Ocala that had a spring on it. Al said he had a problem with the spring because it had stopped flowing. People over the years had dumped old cars, tires, garbage, and had clogged up the mouth of the spring. Al asked if I could think of a way to get the water flowing again because he wanted to start a water bottling company. I told him to hire some divers and pull all the cars, tires and garbage out of the spring, get some mud hogs and pump all the mud form the opening of the spring. Al did that and the water started flowing. He asked me to go into the water bottling business with him. I told him I didn't think people were going to buy water when they could get it for free from a fountain, he laughed like only Al could do. Then I told him the real reason I couldn't do it was I had commitments to my members and could not devote full time to the bottling business. After hurricane Andrew Al sent me several eighteen wheelers full of bottle water for the victims in Miami and would never accept a penny in payment, simply because there were people in need. Our condolences go out to all of Al’s family. I am a firm believer that Apples don’t fall from the tree and that all of Al kids and grand kids have a gene that make them very special because of him. America is a great country because it is made up of families like the Cones. Clark, Taya, Steed, Clark Jr. I was so sorry to hear about Al he will surly be missed. Our Prayers go out to you and the rest of the Cone family, we loved him and you very much.

Donna Lesser (Braswell)

September 4, 2008

I left Bob Montgomery's law firm in 1969 as a receptionist to work for CWN (the infamous Robert R. Johnson) The lawyers all came by to introduce themselves. Each of them had something special to say, but how could I forget Mr. Cone in his shiny bright green custom made suit; his strong southern gentlemen accent; he put out his hand and said "I'm Al Cone" - C - O - N -E just like an ice cream cone. I've been gone from WPB for so many years. But I took with me so many memories and so many friends....most of them from this firm. And Al was part of what made it happen. There are so many many stories that I could tell you about Al and I didn't even work for him directly. Many of them truly funny. Other than those lights he had over his door at one time.....and the jokes he was ALWAYS telling us......he did call me at home shortly after I first started working there. It was Thanksgiving holiday and he wanted me to come in and do some typing for him. When I sat down, instead of my usual typewriter, there was a "Mag II" machine. I said Mr. Cone I'm sorry but I don't know how to work this machine. He reply was "here's the book; it shouldn't take you too long to learn how to work this machine and then you can get this done and get out of here."

I am the first of many who took their car over the second "floor" parking area right into AL's parking spot when we were on Olive Avenue. To this day, I thank God that he was out of the office and I didn't whack his shiny Lincoln!

He was exactly what everyone says.
He is truly infamous. He was a fine lawyer and in my time......all of wanted to experience one day watching him in trial. Especially when it was against Bob Montgomery. He was smooth as glass and I am sure that there were many lawyers who learned alot from his techniques.

I have lived in Tampa for 25 years now and if I say that I worked for Al Cone's law firm, it is with much pride that I say it. Truly so many accomplished and wonderful lawyers/staff came from his law firm.

Thank you Mr. Cone for offering me your house at Indian Hammock for my honeymoon. And for picking up the tab. When we told them we were staying at your cabin, they reopened the kitchen and treated us like royalty.

It was a very special time to work for this law firm. Something most of us will never forget. You see that in every guest book we enter our praises and regrets when one of us passes.

Happy Trials (I mean Trails) to you....until we meet again.

Frank McKeown

September 4, 2008

Al, you will be missed.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank McKeown

Judy Magnant

September 4, 2008

I had the priviledge of working with this great man. My first job in law with with the Cone, Wagner law firm. So many fond memories of Mr. Cone. He was a man of stature, respect, kindness, and humor. One of the grandest. He was greatly admired and loved by all. I will miss you. My thoughts and prayers go out to Clark, Taya, Steed, Clark Jr., Vicky and her family.

Jeanette McGruther

September 3, 2008

Just the fact that Mr. Cone was Mr. Cone, the secretaries in the firm, particularly those not on his trial team, were always overwhelmed in his presence, and I was certainly one of them. Not because of the way he portrayed himself, but because of his prestigious accomplishments and brilliance, plus, of course he was the head of the many-lawyer and very successful firm. One day about 7 a.m. in the office building on Olive Avenue which had burned and been restored, I was attempting in vain to get my hands on a box of file folders in the store room on the second floor. In exasperation, and thinking I was alone in the building, being unable to reach my target, I said, talking to myself (way before I was old enough to reasonably be expected to do so) "Dammit, where is a tall, handsome brute when you need one?" Immediately from the stairwell came a voice, "Well, I'm not tall, and I'm not a brute, and I'll let you decide on the other, but may I help you?" I turned around, and lo and behold it was Mr. Cone. I was petrified that I would be fired on the spot for cussing, which was not in vogue in Mr. Cone's office during the mid '70s. Instead, Mr. Cone climbed up on the bottom shelf, retrieved 2 boxes of file folders and carried them to my desk. Although he was certainly not short, he was not great of physical stature either. But Mr. Cone was huge in intelligence, leadership, mentoring, fair-play, story-telling and human kindness. I will never forget him. And I am so glad I got to know him and his fish tanks better the longer I worked at that wonderful firm of his.

Marge (Richter) Jerico

September 3, 2008

It was truly a privilege to have worked for Al Cone who was without question the truest of gentleman lawyers. Rick’s comments brought back memories that so many of us shared with this dear man. A hard taskmaster at times, but one who always gave you credit, appreciation and praise. Amusing with his stories, caring beyond belief for the common man (included among whom were his employees) and brilliant in his legal abilities. Flamboyant, but sometimes also shy. Generous to a fault with his time, experience and assets. We have all lost a dear and true friend. May God bless you, Al J. Cone, Esq.

Ann Marie Mazzini

September 3, 2008

Al Cone was a very generous man in the very best way ~~ with his time and himself. He loved to laugh and tell stories and he had “a million of ‘em.” I remember while working for him he would never be upset about a mistake. He’d say “if you’re not making mistakes, you’re not working hard.” He was easily accessible and happy to listen to your stories, too. He worked very hard one year to see that my son got the Transformer he HAD to have on Christmas Day when it was unavailable in all of West Palm Beach. He was in my thoughts often and I will remember him fondly.

Fred Hazouri

September 3, 2008

Al was one of the great trial lawyers of our time but more importantly, he was a great and generous human being. Al, gave so much of himself to others and I am a receiptant of his generousity and mentorship. Al had a saying, "It is amazing what great things can be accomplished if you don't care who gets the credit". Taking credit was never what drove Al. Al will be missed by so many people and I for one will be eternally grateful for having had Al in my life.

Lynne Sheppard

August 31, 2008

Al Cone, you will be missed by all the people whose lives you touched and enriched over the years - mine being one of them. You truly inspired me to be more, dream bigger, and live life to the fullest. Thank you for your spirit!

Lynne Sheppard

Rick Kupfer

August 27, 2008

Meeting Al 30 years ago was an important event in my career and an unforgetable one in my life. Al offered me my first job as a private sector attorney just two years out of law school, and we remained friends and law partners for many years after that. Al introduced me to Indian Hammock around 1980, where I later built a cabin that Wendy & I have owned and enjoyed to this day. Al gave me my first telescope, which I think Imogene was glad to get rid of. It launched an avocation/obsession that has also lasted until this day. I, in turn, gave Al the biggest laugh of his life when I told him what happened in court at oral argument in Atlanta on an appeal I handled for the firm. Al literally fell out of his chair and Lynn McMurray and I had to help him back into it (still laughing). I miss those occasional after 5:00 meetings in Al's office which usually ended over a glass of gin. I miss the weekly firm meetings in the law library, the Russo subs for lunch in the conference room, the bagels and cream cheese in the kitchenette, the ATLA conventions, the AFTL Board meetings, the broken spanish, the harried call from the court house pay phone during lunch break with some obscure question that must be answered before trial starts again in 45 minutes, the war stories, the court room stories...I miss many things that probably never would have been if I had never met Al. And I hope to spend another after 5:00 meeting with him (and a few others) sometime and somewhere again. Vaya con Dios, mi amigo.

Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results