Steven Ernest Jones

Steven Ernest Jones, MD, FACC, FSCAI, age 60, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on September 16, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Becky Triplett Jones, sons Matthew Steven Jones (Valerie Villagomez Jones), James Michael Jones (AnnaLeah Commer), and Mark Allen Jones (Sasha Belotserkovskaya); mother, Caryl Roebuck Jones; and brother, Jeffrey Leland Jones (Christy Baumann Jones). He is preceded in death by his father, Donald Larry Jones, whom he loved and respected deeply.

Steve was born in San Diego, California. Growing up, he loved all sports, playing golf, basketball, baseball, water skiing, and snow skiing with his family. He was a 1978 graduate of Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama, where he played basketball, was a varsity stuntman, and was voted “Most Witty” by his senior class. He excelled academically and socially at his much-loved University of Alabama, graduating with a B.S. in chemistry in 1982. He was one of only three students to be selected for membership in Mortar Board, the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for superior achievement in scholarship, leadership and service, and the Anderson Society, a leadership honorary recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the University of Alabama. He was named Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and served as president of Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honorary. He was also a member of Theta Chi Fraternity where he served as social chairman and cultivated lifelong friendships. While in college, he met the love of his life, Becky, while vacationing at the beach. They married in 1981 during Steve’s senior year of college, and they have had an incredibly happy and blessed marriage for 38 years.

Steve obtained his MD from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham in 1986, followed by a residency in internal medicine at UAB ’86-89, and fellowships in cardiology ’89-92, and interventional cardiology ’92-93, at the pre-eminent cardiology program in the country, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He maintained board certifications in internal medicine, cardiology, and interventional cardiology. He was recruited to Cardiovascular Associates (CVA) in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1993 for his excellent skills as a cutting-edge cardiologist, interventional cardiologist, and clinical researcher. During his career, he had a passion for updating his skills through continuing medical education and training courses as the arsenal for combatting coronary artery disease progressed. He was a research investigator in 64 clinical trials furthering advances in cardiology, of which he was the principal investigator of 18 studies evaluating new treatments for heart attack, acute coronary syndromes, anticoagulation, coronary artery stents and balloons, atrial fibrillation, and cholesterol management, traveling around the country and world to remain at the forefront of an ever-advancing specialty. He served as chair of the CVA research committee and Vice President of Operations. He was a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. He chaired the Brookwood Medical Center Department of Medicine and served as vice president of the medical staff, served on the Executive Committee, the Cardiology Process Improvement and Quality committees, and the Governing Board. He was president of the Birmingham Cardiovascular Society and served on the Council of the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Cardiology. He was selected as one of Birmingham’s “Best Docs” for numerous years. He also served on the Cutaneous Lymphoma Research Advisory Council. Mostly though, Steve was a kind, compassionate, dedicated, skillful, and caring member and leader of a top-notch team engaged in the care and well-being of his patients. He was a dedicated physician and interventional cardiologist to thousands of patients spanning his 27 years in practice at CVA. He loved medicine, but he loved his patients even more.

Steve was able to balance the demands of a challenging career with his dedication as a devoted husband and loving father. More than anything, he and Becky cherished raising their sons together. Steve loved playing basketball in the driveway with his boys, coaching their teams, and going on Boy Scout trips. He especially enjoyed their special one-on-one father/son trips to Disney World and rafting down the Grand Canyon. He traveled to all of the SEC football stadiums and many major baseball stadiums with his son, Matthew. Steve shared his love for music of all kinds with his boys. They attended music festivals around the country including Bonnaroo, Hangout Fest, Lollapalooza, Voodoo Fest, Bottle Rock, and Coachella. Some of their best memories as a family were traveling to faraway places such as Kenya for a mission trip and safari, as well as frequent trips to Destin closer to home. Anyone who knew Steve knew he was an avid Alabama fan. He attended Alabama football and basketball games regularly, and especially loved the years when his sons Michael and Mark were in the Million Dollar Band. Steve was so proud to have seen his sons grow up to be the fine young adults they have become. As their home became more of an empty nest, Steve and Becky enjoyed traveling to their special places in Italy and the North Carolina mountains, but they especially enjoyed doing simple things together like walking their dog, Roxi, watching movies, and having nightly chats around their firepit.

Steve was generally quiet and soft spoken; however, his dry sense of humor and keen wit kept everyone around him laughing. He was also an enthusiastic member of Chase Oaks Church, pastored by his brother, Jeff, and valued his faith highly.

As Steve knew that his cancer journey might very well end in death, he was able to say that he lived a good and full life, one without regret. He was thankful for every day with his family, close relationships with lifelong friends, his faith, and his calling as a physician. He will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him, but we are also grateful to have had him as a key part of our lives. We look forward to seeing him again in the even more full life to come.

With the health and safety of family and friends in mind, a celebration of Steve’s life will be held at a later date. For those who would like to express their condolences or share a memory about Steve with his family, please record a short video or voice recording and send it to: StevenJonesMemorial@gmail.com. If you would like to make a donation in memory of Steve, please consider a donation the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation, P.O. Box 374, Birmingham, MI 48012-0374, or online at https://www.clfoundation.org, or to Chase Oaks Church, 241 Legacy Drive Plano, TX 75023, or online at https://www.chaseoaks.org.