Paul Byron Jones
The Honorable Paul Byron Jones died on February 17, 2024 at Alaska Regional Hospital with Robert and Alexandra by his side, listening to Hawaiian music.
Paul was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico on September 7, 1931, the beloved only child of John Byron Jones and Georgia Wilma Strough Jones. He attended the public schools in Las Cruces and graduated from high school at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico in 1949. When interviewed for his grandson Lucas's recent school project he reported that he had a wonderful childhood swimming in irrigation ditches, shooting rabbits with his friends, and feeding the many animals on his family's ranch.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and was a Distinguished Military Graduate from New Mexico State University in 1953. He was immediately commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and then called to active duty during the Korean War. During the Korean War he was stationed in Japan, where he also climbed Mount Fujiyama.
Following discharge from the Army, he studied structural engineering at Stanford University. He was then employed as an engineer by the Marin Municipal Water District in San Rafael, California and EL Paso Natural Gas Company in El Paso, Texas . He then went to law school at the University of Texas at Austin while working as an engineer at the Texas Board of Water Engineers. There, he was an assistant division head and editor of the division's scientific publications, and the Texas Water Rights Commission.
After the untimely death of his first wife, Patricia Wright, he and daughters Anne and Marcia moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1965. He was initially employed by the Alaska Office of the Attorney General and then was the general counsel of the Alaska State Housing Authority. He was appointed in 1968 by Governor Walter Hickel as one of the first Missouri Plan District Court Judges in Anchorage and was the presiding judge of the Alaska District Court of the Third Judicial District. While serving on the District Court bench, he was one of the founders of the Studio Club which provided residential treatment for persons afflicted with the disease of alcoholism. He participated in the establishment of a comprehensive plan for alcoholism treatment in Anchorage and alcohol treatment legislation for the State of Alaska.
He left the District Court bench for the private practice of law, practicing as a partner in the Firm of White and Jones followed by the firm of Foote and Jones. In 1980, he was appointed by Governor Jay Hammond to the Superior Court bench where he opened the new court in Kotzebue and served as the Superior Court Judge along with friend and Magistrate Jim Farr. Truly the highlight of his professional career was serving the people of Kotzebue.
Following retirement from the Superior Court bench in 1991, he assisted his wife in the law practice of Alexis G. Foote, Inc., and they traveled the world extensively. He had special connections with Napili Bay, Mexico, and the Holy Land.
Paul was a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas and was a member of the Alaska, Hawaii and Texas bars. For many years, he was an active member of Lions International. Later in life Paul was embraced by his spiritual family at the Hillside O'Malley Seventh-Day Adventist Church where he had enumerable brothers and sisters.
Paul, with his booming voice but gentle nature, was intellectual, kind, independent, generous, humble, and patient. He reminded daughter Alexandra recently that Patience and Perseverance always win the day.
During that same school interview, Paul teared up when remembering a school teacher who collected and gave shoes and warm clothing to his classmates during the depression. In his memory, let us remember to never be too busy to reach out a hand to lift up others who are suffering.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, JB & Georgia Jones, his first wife, Patricia Wright, his third wife, Alexis G. Foote, and many dear friends, relatives, and beloved animal companions.
Paul is survived by partner Hildegard Shepherd, his son, Robert Foote-Jones, and daughters, Alexandra Foote-Jones, Anne Boesenberg, and Marcia Alfaro. He is also survived, and was immensely proud of, his seven grandchildren: Beth, Ben, Jeremy, Isabella, Leila, Basil, and Lucas and his great-granddaughter Maddox.
A Memorial Service will be held on March 17, 2024 at 3:00pm at Hillside O'Malley Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 6000 O'Malley Road. A reception will follow. The service will be live-streamed from the church's website and facebook page www.omalleysda.com. Questions regarding the service can be directed to the church at 907-346-3244. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Paul's name may be made to the Hillside O'Malley Seventh Day Adventist Church, Friends of Pets, or your local church or animal rescue charity.
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