Alan was born on December 13, 1941 in Shelbyville, IL, and raised in Tower Hill, Ill. He died on July 8, 2017, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife, Sally Shuster Jones, who adored him. He is also survived by his daughter, Brenda Ray, and her husband, David; his daughter Peggy Glotzbach, and her husband, Gregg, and their children, Josiah and Hannah; his son, Michael Jones, and his wife, Kelly, with their children, Keith and Raeanna. Alan is also survived by his only sister, Karen Hodges, and her husband, Larry, and their three adult sons and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Mylbra Jones.

Alan was loved by everyone. He grew up on a farm in central Illinois. He was valedictorian of his high school class, and went on to college at Eastern Illinois University, majoring in Biology. He then taught science in Springfield, Chicago, and California. Receiving a grant to attend graduate school at the University of Omaha, he finished his Masters in Zoology.

Illinois then summoned him to return to Springfield to work at the State Board of Education. There, he evaluated school systems throughout the state, and retired in 1994, but continued to teach at a local college for a few more years.

Alan was a true sportsman. He played golf, basketball, and was a world champion horse shoe player. Recently, he was mastering the game of croquet.

Alan had many, many friend throughout the US. He was kind, considerate, fun, and loved by all who met him. He will be sorely missed.

Memorial service and visitation immediately following will be held at Rochester United Methodist Church, 555 S Walnut, Rochester, Ill., on Saturday, September 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please join the family in a celebration of his life.