Alan Leslie Jones

Jul 28, 1944 -

Jan 1, 2023

Alan Leslie Jones left this world gently in his sleep early on New Year's Day 2023. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. Alan was born in the Salvation Army Home and adopted by his loving parents, Allene and Gilbert Jones, growing up in the San Francisco Bay area.

Alan met the love of his life, Donna, at the tender age of 13, at the local swimming pool, becoming closer in junior high school where their love carried them all through high school. After graduation, they were married on July 27, 1962. One day later, he was sailing around the world on a merchant marine ship, the SS President Adams, as a deck and navigation crewman, towards one of the most profound experiences of his life. Much later, he wrote the story of his travel adventures specifically for his eight grandchildren, entitled "A Sea Odyssey, Round the World, SS President Adams, 1962."

Alan was 18, when he returned from sea, started studying real estate and became the youngest broker in the San Mateo County at the age of 19. He was an accomplished broker, achieving many sales awards. He was able to make a trip to Alaska on a successful moose hunt in 1968. The scenery, mountains and flying in the bush charmed Alan and he fell in love with Alaska. On his return, he gathered the family around and asked if they would like to move to Alaska for the next great adventure.

In 1976, they moved to Anchorage and he and his partner Bill started a construction company called JOMAX. Through JOMAX, they built several condominium complexes. During this time, Alan's biggest dream was to build a cabin in the bush. He bought a 2.2-acre island in the middle of a 5-mile lake called Trapper Lake. The family, together, would learn about harvesting of logs, skinning, notching and spiking the logs in place for the 16x24 log cabin. During construction, they lived in tents on the south end of the island called Summer Camp. Summer camp consisted of a Cheyenne teepee for the boy's bedroom - Alan Jr. (13), Todd (12) and Brian (7) - two sleeping tents and a wood stove as a kitchen. The building site, with a view of Denali, was situated on the north end of the island, to be aptly named, "Jones Island." Alan had his pilot's license and flew into town, when needed, in his tiger yellow Cessna 185 (N1718R).

They began this sojourn on Aug. 3, 1976, and they were able to get into the cabin October 12, just before the first snow. The boys were homeschooled: Brian in second grade learning one-on-one with his mom, while Todd and Alan Jr. studied and did well on their own. They worked and played there for well over a year.

In 1977, the family went back to Anchorage. Alan developed sales and property management through his company, Jadco Associates Inc., extending his carrier beyond 60 years. He had many years of "Big Alaska" adventures with family and friends which his journals describe for prosperity.

Alan is preceded in death by his son, Todd Jones; and grandson, Tyler Jones. Alan is survived by his wife, Donna; son, Alan Jones Jr. (Dawn); son, Brian Jones (Colleen); grandchildren, Brandon Jones, Katelyn Jones, Shane Jones, Kayla Jones, Simone Jones; daughter-in-law, Christal Jones; granddaughters, Jolina and Jenay Jones; five great-grandchildren; and many friends all too numerous to mention. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.