Alexander Jones

Dr. Alexander M. Jones died suddenly on April 21, 2026, at the age of 72. Dr. Jones, known to all as “Alec” practiced orthopedic surgery for over 25 years as a trauma and cervical spine specialist. He served as Chief Resident of Orthopedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins; Lieutenant Commander, Medical Corps, USNR; director of the Spine Clinic and Services at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital; and as a founding member of the Denver Spine Institute. He was awarded numerous medals for his service in the Navy in the Southwest Asia Campaign (Operation Desert Storm/Shield). But not all his medals were for medical work; in the Navy, he earned a Marksmanship Medal (Expert Pistol).

Archibald Alexander Manning Jones was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Dr. Beverley B. Jones and Judge Rosemary Usher Jones. The family moved to Miami, Florida, where Alec and his siblings were raised. He attended The Ransom School, graduating in 1971 as Class Salutatorian and top tennis player. He earned his A.B. from Princeton University in 1975. He was awarded an Armed Forces Health Sciences Professional Scholarship (Navy) to attend the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he completed his medical degree in 1982. His internship and residencies in general and orthopedic surgery were completed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was the Chief Resident of Orthopedic Surgery from 1986 to 1987. Under the tutelage of Drs. R. Rothman, F. Simeone, and J. Cotler, Alec completed his Spine Surgery Fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA in 1988. He was a member of nine medical societies, had over 60 medical publications, and received the Traveling Fellowship Award from the Cervical Spine Research Society.

While interning at Johns Hopkins, he met the love of his life, Susan Forrest, the daughter of Sir Patrick Forrest and Lady Margaret Forrest. After a whirlwind transatlantic romance Alec and Sue were married at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, on December 15, 1984. Alec and Sue were blessed with two daughters, Catie and Aly, during their years in Baltimore and Philadelphia.

After his Naval service, Alec settled his family in Colorado and began his clinical practice. While caring for patients and his family, Alec found the time to indulge his inner tinkerer, inventing several medical devices, earning three U.S. patents, and advising other medical device companies.

His third child, “The Screw Sock” was born from a DIY garage laboratory with his daughters acting as his lab assistants. The Screw Sock grew up to become a simple, elegant implantable sleeve that acts as an anchor, helping surgeons secure screws firmly in places they would often otherwise loosen. This device became the foundation of Woven Orthopedic Technologies and is now used by surgeons across the United States and Europe. You can see his device at www.wovenorthopedics.com

Alec cherished his professional accomplishments, but these were always overshadowed by his devotion to his family; he structured every part of his life around caring for them. He was everyone’s biggest cheerleader, always supportive of his family and friends and encouraging their endeavors. Alec and his wife, Sue, enjoyed traveling extensively around the world, where they shared a deep appreciation for its wonders and for those whose creations left a lasting impact. These trips always included visiting friends, family, and especially any chance to dote on their two grandsons. He is survived by his wife, Susan Jones, daughters Catriona Jones (Julian Moore), Alison Jones (Bryce Sheaffer), his grandsons Felix and Calvin Moore, his sister Ashton Lacy Jones (Robert S. Cahn), brother Bryan M. Jones (Nancy Arne Jones), his nieces and nephews Hamish Forrest, Charlotte Forrest Hosseiny, Euan Forrest, Lorelei Jones, Archie McDonnell, and Xavier McDonnell.

Memorial services honoring Alec will be held Saturday, May 16, with a visitation at 1 pm, service at 2 pm and reception following at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the National MS Society www.nationalmssociety.org/