In Memoriam: Patrick Burrus Jones, M.D.

Patrick Burrus Jones, M.D., of Dothan died peacefully at home on Jan. 15, 2019, with his family at his side. He was 84.

Dr. Jones was born in Dothan on Sept. 11, 1934, the only child Reba Pilcher Jones of Dothan, and Patrick B. Jones of Columbus, GA. He graduated from Dothan High School in 1952 and earned his B.S. from the University of Alabama in 1955, with memberships in Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Nu social fraternity. He graduated first in his class in 1957 from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society.

After interning at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, CO, for the Air Force, he served three years on active duty as an obstetrician in Goldsboro, NC, where he delivered more than a thousand babies. Planning for an academic career, Dr. Jones returned to the University of Alabama Birmingham for training in anatomical pathology. In 1966, he returned to Dothan with his young family to start an independent laboratory with Frank G. Stephens, serving a 75-mile radius in the tri-state area until his retirement in 2006.

In his 40-year career, Dr. Jones served on the Medical Association of the State of Alabama Board of Censors, the State Committee of Public Health, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners (1984-1994), Chief of Staff for Southeast Alabama Medical Center, President of the Houston County Medical Society, and President of the Alabama Association of Pathologists.

He also served as President of the Historic South Inlet Beach Neighborhood Association and on the Board of Directors for Inlet Beach Water System, Inc., in Walton County, FL. Dr. Jones’ principal hobby was golf, but he also enjoyed travelling. He loved poetry and reading history, biography and religious material. A lifelong evangelical Christian, he helped establish Grace Anglican Mission Church in Dothan, Apostles-by-the-Sea in Rosemary Beach, FL and Christ Anglican Church in Cashiers, NC.

Dr. Jones is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy Rodenbough Jones, and their three children, Patrick Burrus Jones III (Darlene), Shannon Jones Russell (Bruce) and Thomas Rodenbough Jones (Theresa) and seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel, 1700 Barrington Road with the Reverends John Wallace and Clark Cornelius officiating. Visitation begins at 1 p.m. at the funeral home before the 2 p.m. service. Interment will follow at Dothan City Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff of Covenant Care Hospice and Barbara Jean Harper for compassionate care during his terminal illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Apostles by-the-Sea, PO Box 611-151, Rosemary Beach, FL 32461 (memo: Hurricane Relief) or to Grace Anglican Church, 113 Gloster Ct., Dothan, AL 36303. Robert Byrd of Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604