Jacob Harris Alford Jr.
September 16, 1947 ~ January 15, 2019 (age 71) 71 Years Old
Tribute
Jacob (Jake) Harris Alford Jr., age 71, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday January 15, 2019 of multiple myeloma cancer. He was born on September 16, 1947 to Jacob Alford and Mary Loretta Alford in New Orleans. Jake attended Behrman High School and graduated in 1965. He then attended Louisiana Tech University and Tulane University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and Masters in Business Administration. Jake married Karen Manemann Alford in 1972. They had two children together, Elizabeth Marie Alford and Christopher Harris Alford. Karen passed away in 1997 after a battle with breast cancer.
Jake reconnected with a high school friend, Debby Pulkowski, in 2005. They began dating and were together until Jake’s passing. As his beloved partner, Debby has become part of Jake’s family as he was a part of hers. She supported him with devoted care as he battled cancer.
Jake started his engineering career in downtown New Orleans at Friede and Goldman Marine Engineering. He worked there for 20 years, then worked at MS Benbow and Associates in Metairie, and finished his career at Bennett and Associates located on St. Charles Avenue as Vice President. Throughout his career, he designed electrical power and control systems for drilling rigs, drill ships, and large marine vessels. He also greatly enjoyed mentoring younger engineers. In addition to directing the design of electrical power systems, he specialized in design and troubleshooting of jack up drilling mechanisms. This work took him all over the world, from the North Sea to the South China Sea. He enjoyed those adventures and loved telling stories about the exotic food he sampled.
Throughout his life, Jake was passionate about playing music. He brought music to everyone he loved, including informal jamming sessions with friends, and spent years playing for services at St. Thomas Moore church. He even played the accordion at the weddings of both of his children.
Jake was proud member of the Masons, Louisiana Lodge 102. He served at various levels of leadership, including Grand Master, and was active until his passing.
Jake is survived by his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Steve Pape, son Christopher and his wife Chloe Pullman, his partner Debby and her daughter Jessica Gisevius, sister Anna Alford, brother Michael and his wife Stephanie, and his eight grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at the Garden of Memories at 4900 Airline Drive on Friday, January 25. Visitation begins at 12:30 with a mass at 1:30 and a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Jake reconnected with a high school friend, Debby Pulkowski, in 2005. They began dating and were together until Jake’s passing. As his beloved partner, Debby has become part of Jake’s family as he was a part of hers. She supported him with devoted care as he battled cancer.
Jake started his engineering career in downtown New Orleans at Friede and Goldman Marine Engineering. He worked there for 20 years, then worked at MS Benbow and Associates in Metairie, and finished his career at Bennett and Associates located on St. Charles Avenue as Vice President. Throughout his career, he designed electrical power and control systems for drilling rigs, drill ships, and large marine vessels. He also greatly enjoyed mentoring younger engineers. In addition to directing the design of electrical power systems, he specialized in design and troubleshooting of jack up drilling mechanisms. This work took him all over the world, from the North Sea to the South China Sea. He enjoyed those adventures and loved telling stories about the exotic food he sampled.
Throughout his life, Jake was passionate about playing music. He brought music to everyone he loved, including informal jamming sessions with friends, and spent years playing for services at St. Thomas Moore church. He even played the accordion at the weddings of both of his children.
Jake was proud member of the Masons, Louisiana Lodge 102. He served at various levels of leadership, including Grand Master, and was active until his passing.
Jake is survived by his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Steve Pape, son Christopher and his wife Chloe Pullman, his partner Debby and her daughter Jessica Gisevius, sister Anna Alford, brother Michael and his wife Stephanie, and his eight grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at the Garden of Memories at 4900 Airline Drive on Friday, January 25. Visitation begins at 12:30 with a mass at 1:30 and a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jacob Harris Alford Jr., please visit our floral store.
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