San Diego Legend Passes Away

Published: Friday, April 18, 2008 4:01 PM PDT

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Joe Alston landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1955, a distinction that places him in the company of Ted Williams, Bill Walton, Marcus Allen and other San Diego sports legends.

He may not have hit a home run, scored a basket or run for a touchdown, but can Williams, Walton and Allen say they chased down Patty Hearst or searched for D.B. Cooper?

Alston, a two-time world champion and 12-time national champion in badminton singles, doubles and mixed doubles, did so in his 30-year career as an FBI agent. He specialized in kidnapping and extortion cases for the bureau.

“My dad led a really interesting life other than his badminton career,” said Nick, one of his two sons.

Alston passed away Wednesday at his home in Solana Beach. He was 81.

The San Diego High and San Diego State alumnus earned his Sports Illustrated cover for a badminton career that also earned him a place in the Breitbard Hall of Fame at the Hall of Champions (my day job).

He was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. 28 times: eight singles, 14 doubles, six mixed doubles. He played on eight U.S. Thomas Cup teams and coached the 1978-79 team.

But his sons said you could talk to him about his FBI career and hear as many fascinating stories as from his athletic career. His son Tony was inspired to join the FBI and is in his 17th year with the bureau.

Tony said he was reading a recent newspaper story to his father about a parachute found in Washington state that had generated speculation it might have belonged to D.B. Cooper, who was never found after he hi-jacked a plane and jumped out over rugged territory in the Pacific Northwest.

“I read him the story, and he said, �Naw, I don’t think so,’ ” Tony said.

Joe, apparently, never stopped working the case in his mind.

“One night in the hospital he fell asleep and he starting shouting, �D.B. Cooper! D.B. Cooper! D.B. Cooper!” Tony said.

Alston passed away from heart failure and medical complications. The family is planning a “Celebration of Life” in May at a date to be announced.

Alston is survived by his wife, Lois; son Tony, daughter-in-law Sharon, three grandchildren of Mission Viejo; and son Nick of San Diego.

-- TOM SHANAHAN

5 Comments so far on this story...

There passes one of the finest persons I have ever known.

Posted by Stan Hales | reply to this comment
April 19, 2008 4:38 pm

Thanks for the nice article on Dad. In lieu of flowers, our family suggests a donation to the San Diego Hall of Champions in Joe's name.

Posted by nalston | reply to this comment
April 19, 2008 5:56 pm

Tom: Thanks for the nice story on Dad. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in Joe's name to the San Diego Hall of Champions.

Posted by nalston@dwyer-curlett.com | reply to this comment
April 20, 2008 10:06 am

Sounds like a neat guy... I couldn't resist looking up the

Posted by Karen | reply to this comment
April 22, 2008 8:50 am

Sorry to read of Joe's passing. He was a terrific player...and teacher of other players, as some past champtions can attest. It's also worth mentioning that his wife Lois was also a star player.

Posted by joe silverman | reply to this comment
April 23, 2008 1:34 pm

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