Jon Edward Ahlquist, 75, of Huntsville, passed away Thursday, May 7th.

As a child, Jon developed intense interest in birds and had an innate skill in painting them. At the age of 14, he was featured in a showing of 30 of his paintings. He has also written and co-written many published articles on birds. Jon received his Bachelors Degree in Biology in 1966 from Cornell University. In 1969, he received his Masters Degree in Biology, and in 1974 he received his PhD in Biology from Yale University. Mr. Ahlquist was a co-recipient of the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal from the U.S. National Academy of Science for his work in bird DNA in 1988. He retired as a Biology professor from Yale University.

Jon was an active member of Calvary Bible Church. He taught and often lectured classes of all ages with enthusiastic presentations of the Lord's handiwork in birds.

He is preceded in death by his father, who passed in 1995; and his mother, who passed in 2000.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 19th at 2 p.m. at Calvary Bible Church.