James Alonzo

James Russell Alonzo, known as Jimmy to his family and friends, passed away on October 23, 2019 at the age of 80. He was born on October 2, 1939 in Detroit, MI. With the exception of his birth, Jimmy spent his entire life in Mobile, Alabama. Jimmy had many loves in his life, his love for fishing, his love for books and poetry, his love for “treasure hunting”, his love of crossword puzzles, his love for his family but his greatest love was for his wife Louise, whom he had been married to for 59 years. He and Louise Bonner were married in April 16, 1960.

Jimmy started his work career at the age of 17 with the Mobile News Co. He retired from the same company, later named Anderson News at the age of 58.

Jimmy had a great passion for the history of the Civil War. He was a member of the Sons of the Confederate, and he also played an extra in the movie “Glory” with his lifelong friend Brian Clark. If he wasn’t treasure hunting or fishing, you could find him watching the Alabama game or reading. He loved having his family visit, especially at Christmas.

Jimmy leaves behind his wife, Louise Bonner Alonzo;  four children- Ammegon Marie Alonzo Bouchard (Joseph Bouchard), James Russell Alonzo, Jr. (Susan McKay Alonzo), Rommel James Alonzo, and Angelina DeOren Alonzo Fountain (Bruce Fountain); brothers- Ronald Joseph Alonzo (Ann Marie Alonzo), Stephen Rogers Alonzo (Dorothy Evens Alonzo); sister Olga Marie Ray (preceded in death by Hall Samuel Ray); eight grandchildren;  and ten great grandchildren. A celebration of Jimmy Alonzo's life will be held on Monday, November 4, 2019 from 2-5 PM at Jimmy and Louise's residence.

This is one of the last poems Jimmy wrote as he struggled with his illness.

Rebirth

I came

Risen as the light

Immortal in my youth

Eager for the fight

But time

My infinite master

Has seared my mind

With this immutable insight

That I’m dying as the Light

As its seeking out the Night

Lo- In fear I cry out

Against my fated plight

Yet pray all the Prophets right

That somewhere in that fearsome Night

I’ll be reborn unto a new Light

So damn my fears

And I’ll praise the birthing

Light of Night

Cometh the Night

Cometh the Light