Alvin Eugene Jones, of California, MD died unexpectedly May 31, 2010. He was 83 years old. Mr. Jones is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joan Jones, daughter Alissa Jones, granddaughter Jessica Jasper, son Christopher Jones, and his younger sister Garnette Applegate.

Mr. Jones was born on August 5, 1926 in Jeffersontown, Kentucky. He graduated from the University of Louisville in 1952 with a BS in Civil Engineering. He resided and worked in several states before settling in St. Mary's County 40 years ago. As a professional engineer in St. Mary's County, he provided services to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, private corporations, county agencies, and the St. Mary's County Public Schools. At the time of his death, Mr. Jones was a substitute teacher for the St. Mary's County Public Schools.

Mr. Jones was a proud Naval Veteran of WWII, who from his ship harbored in Tokyo Bay, witnessed the signing of the surrender of Japan which marked the end of the United States involvement of WWII. Mr. Jones was an active member of the Freemasonry AF and AM for 62 years. He was also a Shriner and a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. He held numerous positions including the Personal Representative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General on the Grand Council for the State of Maryland.

Mr. Jones devoted his life to making the world a better place for others. His philosophy and dedication to his work and for the organizations and causes he supported can be summarized as follows:

"To laugh often and love much:
To win the respect of intelligent persons
And the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest citizens
And endure the betrayal of false friends: to appreciate beauty:
To find the best in others:
To give of one's self: to leave the world a bit better,
Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch
Or a redeemed social condition: to have played and laughed
With enthusiasm and sung with exultation:
To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived…
This is to have succeeded."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Services with full Navy Honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations on his behalf can be submitted to: Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Hilgenberg Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders, Children's Burn Hospital of Boston, or the Family Services of St. Mary's County ARC.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.