Alfred Lewis Bass

Alfred Lewis Bass, (Al, Chief) 78, of Jacksonville, Florida passed away peacefully on January 3, 2018 surrounded in love with his wife of 57 years and 2 daughters at Community Hospice Earl B. Hadlow Center for Caring. He suffered and died from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. He was born in Jacksonville to George and Winona Bass. He lived most of his life in Jacksonville with 4 years on active duty in Washington, DC and deployment during the Gulf War. He also lived in Atlanta, Georgia early in his career years.

Al was a loving, generous, caring, one of a kind, comical man with a personality larger than life. He could be very amusing. He never met a stranger. He could carry on a meaningful and funny conversation with anyone. To know him was to love him.

He graduated from Alfred I. Dupont High School in 1957. He attended Jacksonville University, obtaining his degree while serving in the United States Air Force.

He dedicated his life in service to our country retiring from the US Air Force and The Florida Air National Guard after 31 years of service. He served active duty during the Gulf War and also at the Pentagon. He spoke of his career in the Military proudly and fondly.

He was passionate and proud of his two daughters and grandchildren. He enjoyed visiting his girls and their families during warm weather in Maine and Ohio. But mostly he enjoyed sitting on his front porch with his wife and dog Yazzie and watching the birds visit his many feeders.

He also loved hunting, fishing, playing poker, watching movies on TV, and the time with friends and neighbors that would drop by for a visit and a laugh or two. He played poker with a group of guys that were like family to him. The last activity he enjoyed was his poker game, that night he won and won big according to the other guys. It is certain that a taunting cackle would have followed the win.

He will be remembered for his immense generosity to friend, family or stranger, his love of all children but especially his grandchildren, and his humor and his unwavering dedication to his family.

He is survived by his wife, June Giffin Bass, his daughters Amy Bass Cunningham (Ross), Amanda Bass Anderl (Joe), his brother Mike (Lisa), sister Debby (Bert) Bowden, grandchildren Derek ( Jennie), Alex, Lucian, Abby, Leif, and Sterling, his family in love, Frank, Jen and Zack, and many nieces and nephews that loved their Uncle Al. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, an infant brother, a sister Peggy, and several lifelong friends waiting to go fishing.

A graveside service will be held Monday, March 19, 2018, 1:30PM, at Jacksonville National Cemetery with full military honors, 4083 Lannie Rd. Jacksonville. Fl. 32218. A brief reception will follow at Lannie Road Baptist Church, 5998 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations, may be made to Community Hospice 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, social service coordinator and CCU Memorial Hospital and staff at Hadlow Community Hospice, Sunbeam Road and the his Pulmonary Dr. A. Vasquez and staff.

Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family