A simple stone slab covered a small space close under the towering brick wall of the Saenger Theater of downtown Pensacola. This is probably the last place in Pensacola you would look for such a lonely grave, a resting place that is now underneath the extensions of the city's showplace theater. But, on this spot lay "the departed remains of one who possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity and all the virtues of man without the vices." On this day, Mr. John A. Jones tenderly laid his cherished companion of the last decade to rest with selfless tenderness and devotion. The grave was inscribed with the following message, "He was a Thoroughbred, Big Boy XIII, AKC Registration 506205, Born 9-25-1925, Died 2-26-1935, the Beloved Pet of J. A. Jones."
Big Boy was a giant English Airdale, for years the constant companion of John Alwyn Jones who was the former manager of the Saenger Theater. John and his wife Emma used to live at 2 1/2 North Palafox Street, next door to the Isis Theater where he was once the manager at one time. Every day he and Big Boy would walk either downtown or north up Palafox Hill or maybe a pleasant stroll through St. Michael's Cemetery. Both companions looked forward to their time together from the time Big Boy was a pup. Later, John took the position as the manager of the Saenger prior to 1929 where his giant companion was a constant fixture. When Big Boy's time came, John wanted his beloved companion near him. So he buried him behind the Saenger where he could visit him daily. Not a day went by that he would not step outside and have a chat with Big Boy! His dedication was such that the Pensacola News Journal wrote an article about his visits on March 25, 1945. Sadly, ten days after the article was printed his former assistant manager, Cpl. Clarence J. Wallenfelsz was killed in action with the US Army in Europe. On April 25, 1945, a German artillery shell exploded among Clarence and his infantry comrades, mortally wounded him. He died the next day and was buried in the St. James Cemetery in France.
Eventually, John retired and opened up a general insurance business by the name of Johnny Jones Insurance Agency with an office in the American Bank Building. He and Emma moved to 1410 East Hernandez Street, but he rarely missed a visit to his beloved canine. Emma would pass away in 1946 and eventually, John's time came as well on July 9, 1957 at the age of 71. He was laid to rest next to her in St. John's Cemetery.
Saenger Theater, 118 South Palafox Street, 1925
Pensacola News Journal 3-25-1935
Big Boy XIII, the English Giant Airedale
Saenger Theater, 1940's
Assistant Manager of the Saenger, Cpl. Clarence
J. Wallenfelsz, KIA in Europe in WWII 4-26-1945
John A. and Emma A. Jones, St. John's Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida