Philip F. Jones

Philip F. Jones

Retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Philip F. Jones passed away on Friday, April 22 in Edmonds, WA, after a sudden illness. He was 91.

Born in Boston, MA, on January 17, 1920, the family soon moved to Los Angeles. Phil graduated from the University of Southern California and enlisted in the Marine Corps as an officer with the outbreak of World War II. He was wounded in combat and subsequently awarded the Purple Heart.

Upon his return stateside he married Mary Lou Anhalt of Glendale on April 21, 1945, at Holy Family Church. He entered USC School of Law and went into private practice as a lawyer in the San Fernando Valley. Phil and Mary Lou eventually settled in the city of San Fernando where they raised their six children. Phil successfully ran for the San Fernando city council where he served two terms, twice as the mayor. In 1975, he was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court.

With their children grown and on their own, Phil and Mary Lou moved to Glendale to be near her father Louis. The three enjoyed many overseas trips together and on weekends would often go hiking on the local trails. Phil retired from the bench in 1989 and he and Mary Lou later moved to Bellingham, WA, to be near their oldest son and daughter. After Mary Lou died in 2010, Phil moved to Edmonds to be near his youngest child.

Phil is survived by his five children: Philip Jr. and Margaret of Bellingham, WA; Suzanne of Edmonds, WA; Christopher of Santa Barbara, CA; and Ann Marie of Glendale. He is also survived by his sister Betty Chism of Paramount, CA, three grandsons and one great-grandson. He is preceded in death by his beloved Mary Lou, their son James, and grandson Andrew.