James Albert Jones, aka “Alligator Al”, 91, of Paducah, died peacefully in his home Thursday February 10, 2021 surrounded by his beloved wife, children and grandchildren. He leaves behind his wife, Anna Lou Jones, and his children, Vanessa Jones Sullivan, Tim & Laura Jones, and Stephanie Jones of Paducah, as well as his grandchildren Adam, Erin, Matthew, Warren and Evan Jones of Paducah; Lindsey Sullivan of Paducah.
Albert Jones was born on November 11, 1929, Armistice Day, to Albert A. Yiannis Jones a Greek immigrant from Sparta. His father and his Uncle Pete Yiannis raised Albert in that area of Paducah between South Fourth Street and 11th and Broadway, spending much of his formative years with his Paducah first cousins, Louise Jones Bryant, Cecilia Jones Lyles, Margaret Jones Fleming, and Mary Jones Gillihan. Albert was always proud of his Spartan heritage.
Albert attended Washington Junior High School and graduated with the Augusta Tilghman High School Class of 1949, where he excelled in football, becoming a Kentucky All State football player offered a full scholarship to play for the legendary Bear Bryant at the University of Kentucky. He declined the scholarship after attending a practice session with Bear Bryant, concluding that he was too little and too slow even though in track & field Albert was the anchor runner of the 1949 state championship 4 x 220 yard relay team, with a winning time that stood for many years. Albert was very proud of his high school years at Tilghman. He remained a lifelong Tilghman fan as well as close friends with many Tilghman classmates. Notably Albert’s very close friend, and one of Paducah’s finest citizens, Bob Johnston.
In 1951 Albert volunteered for the US Army to fight in Korea. He never got farther than Washington State where he began as combat engineer then a military policeman. His highest rank was Private First Class. After a two year stint he was honorably discharged and moved to Lexington where he met his future wife, Anna Lou Jones, a registered nurse whom he would marry in 1953. Years later she would join the Army reserves. When her unit was activated her rank was Lieutenant Colonel, which caused much consternation for PFC Albert Jones, who was never very good at taking orders! Albert and Lou were married for more than 67 years.
Albert was educated at the University of Kentucky and received his law degree there in 1957. He immediately joined the FBI as a Special Agent and always kept an autographed picture of J. Edgar Hoover above his desk. Upon leaving the FBI, Albert came home and ran for McCracken County Commonwealth’s Attorney. He was elected in 1964 and held that office until 1977. When President Jimmy Carter appointed Albert the United States Attorney for the Western District Of Kentucky, a position he held until 1981 when he resigned to return to his beloved home, Paducah. Albert always prided himself on his high conviction rate as a prosecutor. He was once confronted by the sixth circuit court of appeals for “having more indictments in the Western District Of Kentucky than in all of Detroit” to which he quickly replied, “Yes, that’s true. But who wants to live in Detroit?” As a young assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney to Albert Jones, Mark Bryant was handed a murder case file hours before trial as Albert smiled and said, “Unless we get more evidence in this case, looks like you’re gonna have to try it.” Mark did.
Albert practiced law in Paducah for a few years, enjoying mostly his experiences representing the downtrodden and little people. He was elected to the Kentucky General Assembly in 1986. He represented the people of Paducah for six years and was a leader in the Kentucky General Assembly, writing legislation and regulations that are still the law in Kentucky involving legislative ethics and freedom of information. Many legislators said they voted like Albert did because he was one of the few who ever read the bills they were voting on.
Albert finally tired of practicing law full time. Though an excellent artist, he also decided that he couldn’t do that full time. So one day he decided to run for Mayor of Paducah against the incumbent Mayor. Albert won and served as Mayor of Paducah for a five year term. The City Commission meetings were televised and Albert had quite a following as he was hilarious and had a funny, authoritarian governing style. As Mayor he reinstituted the Veterans Day parade and walked in it for years. He was often accused of doing this as a birthday celebration parade in honor of his own birthday!
Albert received many awards over the years, including Kentucky Colonel, Duke Of Paducah and Outstanding Commonwealth’s Attorney Of Kentucky. He remained a member of the Bryant Law Center until his death. Proud to have a Paducah Park renamed in his honor, Albert would be pleased if family, friends, and others would take a memorial walk on the paved .22 mile walking path at Albert Jones Park, 826 Joe Bryan Drive.
Albert and his family would like to give a shout out to the Lourdes Mercy Hospice organization. Thank you to all of the awesome medical workers, nurses, physicians, Baptist Health Hospital, Mercy Health Hospital that over the years helped him complete his 91 laps around the sun.
As Albert requested, there are no scheduled services. In memory, please take something positive you may have learned from him and use it in your life.
Albert was a renaissance man. His death is a blow to our community. As Irvin S Cobb once wrote about Old Judge Priest, “This was a man.” So too was Albert Jones!
Watch a great video at https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/local-legal-titan-albert-jones-dies-at-age-91/article_50baff14-64fd-11eb-8872-473580146862.html
All arrangements are being handled by Milner & Orr Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Paducah.
You may leave a message of condolence and light a candle of remembrance at milnerandorr.com.