Albert Lonnie Jones, Jr. July 3, 1931 ~ October 14, 2014 Albert Lonnie “Al” Jones, Jr., of Vernon, Florida, left us at 3:00 AM CT, October 14, 2014, in the care of Covenant Hospice at Bay Medical Center, Panama City, Florida. He was truly an active, healthy man, doing what he loved best, working outside, Al fell and succumbed to a massive left-sided brain bleed. His family was by his side at the time of his passing. Al was born July 3, 1931, in Meridian, Mississippi, to Albert Lonnie Sr. and Ollie Mae (Collins) Jones. He was a hard-working, strong-willed man from the beginning. He began working at a young age in the veneer factory in Meridian along with his father and younger brother under the direction of Mr. Howell. Then onto a sales career, he became the youngest sales manager at Kinney Shoes in Meridian. He was drafted into the armed forces holding the rank of Corporal, in the service of his country, spending most of his time in Germany. He proudly remembered meeting Elvis Presley at Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey. Out of the service, he eventually resided in Gainesville, Florida, and began his career in automobiles: having worked with Shaw & Keeter Motor Company; Blount Pontiac; and AMC-Jeep. Each step took him to higher recognition. Al became Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge of Gainesville #990, and remained a life member. He and his wife began a cattle ranch in Chiefland, and owned a used car dealership, Bronson Auto Sales, Inc., in the late 80s early 90s. In mid-1995, they moved to a small town, Vernon, located in the Panhandle of Florida, and continued their cattle operation for some time. He began working with Howell Chevrolet in Bonifay, Florida (ironically owned by the son of his supervisor at the veneer mill in Meridian). Al truly loved the car business, and when the dealership closed, his sales skills ledhim to working with his wife and the WWDR Team at WorldWide Drilling Resource, Inc., Bonifay, Florida, where he became Vice President; the position he held at the time of his death; as well as working side-by-side with his son Troy at Teddy Bear Timber Company in Vernon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Lonnie and Ollie Mae Jones, Sr.; daughter Allison Leigh Kolterman; two brothers Joseph “JC” Jones and Robert Earl Jones, Sr.; four sisters: Virginia Waller, Dorothy McKee, Mary Lou Sullivan, and Esther Allen. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years (partner and friend for 40), Veronica I. “Ronnie” Jones of Vernon, Florida; two sons: Wade Charles Jones (Laura), Troy Shannon Cunningham (Marie); four daughters: Debra Baker (Charles); Kim Oliver; Terri Lynn Straughn (Terry); Lora Bambi Barnes; two brothers: James Jones (Catherine); Ronald Jones (Diane); four sisters: Elizabeth “LE” Slayton, Jane Singley, Janice Hayes (Harold), Eula Davis (Walt); nine grandchildren: Katie Oliver; Shelby and Hayley Jones; Charebi Baker Jones (Ron); Yancey Baker; Dallas Jourdan Oliver; Hannah and Natalie Straughn; Julia Kolterman; and one great grandson Lofton Jones. The family has planned two receptions for friends and family: Wednesday, October 29th from 4-7 PM CT at the home of Al and Veronica Jones (AlVeron Ranch), Vernon, Florida. A time for reminiscing and sharing fond memories of this “one and only Al Jones”; Sunday, November 9th at 1 PM ET, at the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Gainesville Lodge #990, 23rd Street, Gainesville, Florida, at which time there will be a formal Elks Service in honor of Past Exalted Ruler Albert L. Jones, Jr. Following the service, friends and family are invited to join together in the lounge for a time of remembrance and sharing the life of this wonderful man. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to his favorite charity for which he worked countless hours to help crippled children. Florida Elks Harry Anna Trust Fund, PO Box 47, Umatilla FL 32784 in Memory of Albert L. Jones, PER, Gainesville, Florida.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 15:43:34 +0000
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