Dr. John Allen Jones III

Long-time Montgomery physician, Dr. John Allen Jones, III, 81, fought a valiant battle with stage four lung cancer. He died peacefully at home on August 15.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. John Allen Jones, Jr. and Lucile Lewis Jones; his daughter, Jacque Jones Longshore, and his son, John Allen Jones, IV. 

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 60 years, Fran Hardwich Jones; his daughter Kelton Morris (Harrison); his son-in-law John Longshore (Alice); his daughter-in-law Leah Hanna Jones and ten grandchildren--Katter Longshore; Lucie Longshore Vogtle (Hays); Thomas, Fran and Jacque Morris; Lauren and John Allen Jones V; Weldon Johnson (Davis); Emelyn Cox (Bobby) and Anna Sanford Boan.  

Allen cherished his relationship with his extended family: Sisters Laura Susan Roberts (Tommy), Louise Hill (Bill), Martha Tyson (Tommy); brother-in-law Buddy Hardwich (Robin) and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

Allen was born on March 9, 1943, in Buffalo, NY, where his dad was stationed during WW II.  He graduated from Sidney Lanier High School, Class of 1961, and Vanderbilt University.  He attended medical school and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Emory Medical School.  For three years, he served the US Army in Okinawa, Japan, as a general medical and diving officer.  In 1977, Allen returned to Montgomery to join his father in ophthalmology practice.  He loved his patients, serving them with devotion for 43 years. 

Above all, Allen was a family man. Gatherings at the Lake Martin cabin, the family home for 68 years, were legendary celebrations of love, fun and adventure.  Allen enjoyed hunting and fishing, reading and a good banter with friends.  He also took great pleasure in being the trustee of family cooking delicacies like homemade mayonnaise, chow chow, hot fudge and iced minted tea. 

Allen lived big and loved big—a rock and foundation for his family. His ten grandchildren were the light of his life, and they all adored Big Al.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 23, at 10:00 a.m. in Stegall Hall, First United Methodist Church.  A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 a.m.conducted by Dr. Karl Stegall, Bishop Lawson Bryan, Dr. Jay Cooper, and Rev. Lucas Tribble.  Burial will be graveside at 2:30 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery.   

Donations may be made to the Stegall Seminary Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 241661, Montgomery 36124 or to First United Methodist Church, 2416 West Cloverdale Park, Montgomery 36106.