Alfred Jeff "Pete" Vail

On Saturday, March 25, 2017, at the age of 74, Alfred Jeff Vail (aka Pete) passed away at Mercy Hospital in Springfield Missouri after a motorcycle accident. Pete, the first born son of Albert Jefferson Vail and Mary Addeline Dale, was born in Little Rock Arkansas on September 16, 1942. Pete served as a seaman and torpedo mans mate on the USS Proteus. The USS Proteus was the first submarine tender ever assigned the mission of supporting a squadron of submarines propelled by nuclear power and equipped to fire Polaris ballistic missiles. While serving on the USS Proteus, Pete received a Commendation from the secretary of the Navy, "For exceptionally meritorious service while deployed in Holy Loch, Scotland from March 1961 - February 1963." He was honorably discharged from the US Navy on March 29, 1966. Pete married Janet Carolyn Blair on Aug 29, 1966. They raised three daughters, Tammy Tricia and Tonya in a small home in Dearborn Heights,, Michigan. Pete, worked at Ford Motor company for 33 years as a very skilled, reliable and highly respected tool and die maker. In his spare time, Pete, a self taught mechanic, could always be found tinkering in his garage, or under the hood of a car that someone needed him to repair. After retiring from Ford Motor Company, Pete and his wife, Janet, relocated to the small town of Yellville, Arkansas where they recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. As a skilled bargainer, Pete loved to attend Flea markets and auctions. He became a very respected and noteworthy source of information for other auction attendees, many of whom became some of his closest Friends. Alfred Jeff Vail Sept 16, 1942 - March 25, 2017 Proceeding him in death Brother, William Leon Vail Mother, Mary Addeline Dale Father, Albert Jefferson Vail Survived by wife of 50yrs Janet Carolyn Vail (Blair) daughters Tammy Eileen Stewart (Leonard J. Stewart) Tricia Beth Cohen (Alan B. Cohen) Tonya Lynn Hunter (Hal S. Hunter) Granddaughters Chelsea Leigh Stewart Samantha Renee Cohen Mikeala Racquel Fell Madison Bryce Fell Cydnie Grace Stewart Colleen Nicole Stewart Sisters Frances Lundell Kathy Crockett