THOMAS EDWARD JONES, SR. “Tom” (85), Beloved Father, Grandfather and Brother, passed away Friday, July 17 2015 in Palatka.
Tom was born July 22, 1929 in Palatka, Florida, the 4th son of William Coleman Jones and Emma May Rudder. Tom grew up in Palatka and spent his youth hunting, fishing and working in the family Lumber Mill business. He attended High school at Tennessee Military Institute in Sweetwater, TN, graduating with the class of 1947, then went on to Auburn University where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1951.
Tom married Myrna Williams of San Mateo, FL while still in college and they soon began their family. He began a career as an Engineer with Southern Bell Telephone Company in Orlando, FL. He was transferred numerous times throughout his career, working in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Fort Lauderdale and Cocoa, FL. In 1965 Tom left Southern Bell for ten years to join his father and brothers, Coleman Jr. and Fred Jones, farming in the family business, W. C. Jones & Sons in East Palatka. Tom retired from the Telephone Company in 1989 as District Manager of Engineering, Operations and Switch Services of the large North Florida District based in Gainesville.
Tom mastered the skills of fishing in his youth, which he continued to enjoy throughout his life. He spent many happy days with children, grandchildren and friends in a boat on a river or surf fishing. Many have fond memories of the fish-fries he and Myrna hosted at their home.
Tom loved his family and his church, and served both faithfully with all of his heart and soul. He was a member of the Palatka 1st Ward of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He received many, various callings in the church during his lifetime but his favorite calling was that of “Home Teacher”, a calling he faithfully fulfilled for over 45 years. He loved visiting other families in the church on a monthly basis, sharing a spiritual message with them or serving them in some other way. He lightened burdens, and helped them out according to their individual needs. His kindness and generosity with his time was not reserved for his church family alone. He could always be found visiting the sick, helping, cheering and visiting the elderly. He never drove by anyone with car trouble or turned away from a person in need. He lived according to the Christian teachings with which he was raised to the best of his ability all of his life. He, along with his wife, served a full-time mission in both the Atlanta, GA and Orlando, FL Temples.
Tom and Myrna were married for 64 years; Myrna passing away last year. Tom is survived by his devoted children: Sandra Lynn Jones of Palatka, Janet Jones Anderson (Kenneth) of Otto NC, Thomas Edward Jones, Jr. (Glenda) of Otto, NC, and Mark Louis Jones (Carmen) of Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by his beloved brother, Fred R. Jones (Mary Jo) of East Palatka, and by 14 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services celebrating Tom’s life will be held at 11 AM, Monday, July 27th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Palatka, Bishop Michael Curtis officiating. Burial will follow at the San Mateo Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, July 26, 5PM-7PM at Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home located on South Palm Ave. in Palatka.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or the family requests memorial donations be made in Tom’s name to the local LDS Family History Center, checks to; Palatka 1st Ward – Family History c/o Bishop Michael Curtis, 153 Horseman’s Club Road, Palatka, FL 32177.
Memories and condolences and may be express to the family on Tom’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com .
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.