Richard Allen Sones

Colonel Richard A. Al Sones, age 76, of Suwanee, GA passed away May 18, 2013. He was raised in Bogalusa, LA and served 30 years in the U.S. Army. Col. Sones completed 2 combat tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and received 2 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Legion of Merit. After retirement in 1992 from Fort Gillem, GA, he served 15 years at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Atlanta. Colonel Sones is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin & Lylia Sones, and brother, Lt. Commander William C. Sones, USN. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Kay Sones; son, Matthew Sones & wife, Sharon; daughter, Samantha Fair & husband, Michael; grandchildren, Rebecca, Madeline, Emma, Laurel, & Deidre Fair, and Callie & Kirk Sones. A Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at The Catholic Church of St. Monica, 1700 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30097, with Father Jack Durkin serving as Celebrant. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in memory of Colonel Sones, to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 21, from 6:00-8:00 pm with rosary at 7:30 at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30046, 770-277-4550. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wagesandsons.com.