In all things, excellence has no competition -Randy Jones

John R. Jones John Randolph Jones, 64, joined his Father in heaven on July 10, 2007.


Randy was born in Myrtle Beach, S.C. while his father was in the Army during World War II. Randy lived an amazing life. He was raised in Longview, Wash., and began his restaurant career at age 14.

Upon leaving the Navy in 1965 as a cryptologist, he followed his dream in the Canadian Pacific Hotel chain learning culinary skills long before culinary schools were popular.

Randy later took a chef's position at Port Ludlow Resort in Washington where he met his future and adventurous wife, Colleen Coulter, of Irondale, Wash. Randy invited his girlfriend to Alaska and promptly proposed when she departed the plane in Juneau. They married in Auke Bay in 1976.

Yancey Derringer Restaurant in Juneau was his first restaurant in Alaska and became Alaska's standard in culinary cuisine. He also opened the Great Alaskan Sandwich Co. in Juneau. Mentoring young persons in the culinary skills was Randy's forte. During this time, they had two sons - Brian and Brad. He also owned Jones & Jones, Ltd., a fine china and crystal shop.

In 1985 Randy moved his family to Washington where he opened Pellagrino's Italian Restaurant in Sequim. This restaurant was later moved to Silverdale, Wash., and named CafÉ Milano. "In all things, excellence has no competition," was Randy's motto. When the restaurant closed, Randy became chief steward on some of the largest fish processors in the Bering Sea and at fish processing camps around Alaska.

Because he loved Alaska, the family moved to Fairbanks and in 1999 he opened 2 Geeks Computers.

Having one last dream, Randy created, designed and opened Harley's Diner Motorcycle Cafe in March 2007. Randy's dream for Harley's Diner will remain strong as a family business. His prized meatloaf will forever be remembered and eaten by all.

Randy's hobbies included cooking, riding motorcycles with his wife, Colleen, fishing and being host to his many friends. His storytelling is renowned as being the best in the business.

Truly his family and friends will miss him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Douglas Jones; and sister, Merrie Rieke.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen and sons, Brian and Bradford, as well as Sean from a previous marriage; grandchild, Riley; mother, Betty Jayne Jones of Tucson, Ariz.; brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Linda Jones of Arizona; sisters and brothers-in-law, Candice and Robert Moe of Virginia and Suzie and Michael Curtis of Japan; and aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews in the Lower 48.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations may be made to a scholarship fund for UAF culinary art students in the name of Randy Jones at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union.

A celebration of life will be held at 4:30 p.m., Monday, July 16, at Friends Community Church, 1485 30th Ave.

Pastor Darryl Carnley of North Pole Worship Center will officiate. A reception will follow. Please bring written memories for the family to collect.

Condolences may be sent to Colleen Jones, 910 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701.

Arrangements were by Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home