Al was from Dallas, Texas.  He entered Navy Line upon graduation, and served in surface ships, including USS Robison (DDG-12). After earning an advanced degree in mechanical engineering, Al became an engineering duty officer. His final tour before retiring as a commander on 1 July 1977 was as Engineering Officer on the staff of Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi.

His civilian career was in the oil and gas industry, where he was an officer at Boeing Petroleum Services.  He passed away on 10 May 1987 in Houston. Al was survived by his widow, Brenda Sue McPherson who resides in Houston, TX.