Jerry Elmer Jones was born at home in Overland Park, Kansas to Roy and Maxine
Jones. His father was a member of the Naval Reserve and, by the time Jerry was
five years old, was called up to serve prior to World War II.
During the War years, Jerry and his mother moved from coast to coast; Jerry attended thirteen grade schools and three high schools. He’d long wished to become a Naval officer like his dad, and entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952. It was there he met many lifelong friends, and it was there that he began his twenty-eight-year service for
the country he loved. He spent the first nineteen years at sea duty; he was stationed on five submarines, two of which he commanded.
After retirement in 1980, his lifetime love of learning led him to take many college courses pursuing, as he said, “all the things I never had time to learn about:” Anthropology, Russian History, Art History, Egyptology. He received a graduate degree in Political Science from George Washington University.
Second and third careers as consultant and realtor did not dissuade Jerry from continuing his public service. A member of the Fairfax County, VA Library Board, he was also a volunteer guardian, AARP tax volunteer, election officer, and instructor of personal finance at Piedmont Community College.
Full retirement brought Jerry and his wife “Timmie” to Charlottesville, VA, where he
said he felt fully at home for the first time in his life. After twenty-five years, he and Timmie settled in Melbourne, FL to be close to the blessing of family.
Jerry and Timmie met while he was stationed in New London, CT. They wed in 1961
and were blessed with sixty-four years together. They had two beloved sons, Ken and Roy.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents and his son Kenneth Scott Jones. He is survived by his wife, Timmie, son Roy Edward Jones, grandchildren Ryan (Elizabeth) Jones, Lauren Jones, great-granddaughter Gabriella Jones, and cousin Vicki Messbarger.
Gifts in Jerry’s memory may be sent to the USO, The Buena Vida Foundation Scholarship Fund, or a charity of your choice.