Alan R Jones

Alan R. Jones of Potsdam passed away at 95 years old on November 7, 2026. He was born in Watertown, New York on September 16, 1931 to William L. and Hazel M. (VanAlstyne) Jones. He grew up in Adams Center and was very active in sports at Adams Center High School on the football, basketball, track and field, and baseball teams. He was graduated in 1950 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. His service was very significant in his life. He served from 1950 to 1953 and rose to the rank of Sergeant as a Field Artillery Leader during combat in the Korean War. He was awarded a Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, a Marine Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe Clasp, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, Marine Sharpshooter Rifle Badge, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation – Foreign. He was able to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2017 and was recognized by a Women’s ROTC Unit from South Korea for his service. Al also served on a Peacekeeping Mission in the Mediterranean Sea before his Honorable Discharge from active duty.

On Christmas Eve 1953 he married the love of his life, Jacqueline Claire Gonseth, in North Syracuse. They were married for over fifty years until her passing in 2011. Al was able to take advantage of the G.I. Bill to attend St. Lawrence University where he received his B.A. in 1958 and his M.Ed. in 1964. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa and played on the football team during his time there. Al started a Social Studies teaching career in 1958 at Potsdam Central School with middle school age students. Al coached one season of Junior Varsity Basketball, was an advisor to the middle school newspaper, and advised the student council and the Yorker history club. He was also active with the Potsdam Teachers’ Association prior to his retirement in 1988.

Al was a member of the Potsdam Elks Club and was a member and past officer of the Stony Brook Hunting Club where he made lifelong friends and spent many nights around the camp woodstove.

Al and Jackie spent several winter months each year in Garden City, South Carolina, which Al continued after Jackie’s passing. He enjoyed the warmer climate and developed several friendships, particularly with Pete Brooks. He especially enjoyed seeing the Marine helicopters from Camp LeJeune flying past his beachfront balcony, reminding him of his younger Marine service experiences.

Al was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Potsdam. He served on the Buildings and Grounds Committee and supplied Christmas greens from his hunting camp right up until this past Christmas.

Al was active until the past few months, cutting wood, driving his tractor, and mowing with his rider mower. He also spent many hours at his camp on Lake Ozonia and children’s houses helping with their home improvements. He was a man of many talents who loved his family unconditionally.

He was predeceased by his parents, brother Ronald Jones, sister Anita Jones and his beloved wife Jacqueline. He is survived by his daughter, Laura (Brian) Kiely of Crown Point, his daughter, Julie (Phillip) Jones-Susmann of Northfield, Vermont, and son Alan (John Schlotter) of Crown Point. He is also survived by grandchildren Patrick (Laura) Kiely, McDonnell Kiely, Ellen Kiely, Jacqueline (Evan) Azzaro, Ador Susmann, Cassandra (Axel) Jones and Christian Jones, one great granddaughter Mariella Azzaro and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the Canton Veterans of Foreign Wars for its friendship in Al’s final years. The late Jack Lawrence, who played many rounds of golf over the years with Al, introduced him to the members. They gave him something to look forward to each Tuesday night.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Al will be buried next to Jackie in the Bayside Cemetery in Potsdam. Arrangements are in care of Garner Funeral Services of Potsdam. Condolences for the family can be left at garnerfh.com.