Thomas Ralph Jones Jr.

JONES, Thomas Ralph Jr., 88, of Wichita, Kan., died Saturday, October 4, 2008. He was interred in Wichita. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Ann Nellen (David) of Tucson, Ariz.; and son, Thomas R. Jones III (Gloria) of Tulsa, Okla. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Martha Claiborne (nee Willcox). Born and raised in Norfolk, Va., Ralph graduated with a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Military Institute, Class of 1942, where he played football, basketball and baseball. After graduation from VMI, he graduated from Army Air Forces' flight training school, in Smyrna, Tenn., as a B-24 airplane commander. Ralph was retained at Smyrna as a flight instructor and check pilot. He retired from the AAF as a Captain and received the World War II Victory Medal. Returning to civilian life, Ralph joined Alcoa as a sales engineer in Richmond, Va., where he worked for 13 years before being appointed branch manager for Alcoa's Wichita Sales Office in 1959. He held that position for 13 years. After retirement, Ralph turned his attention to volunteer projects, serving as a volunteer worker, Committee Chairman and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Episcopal Social Services at Venture House of Wichita. He was also a vestry man and a senior warden of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, where he was a member of the Parish Council. An avid golfer, Ralph also served on the Board of Directors and as Vice-President of Crestview Country Club, where he was a member for almost 50 years. He remained a southern gentleman throughout his long tenure in the Midwest. Memorials may be made to Venture House Episcopal Social Services, 1005 E. 2nd St. N., Wichita, Kan., 67214. Tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.