Theodore R. Jones

Feb. 15, 1923 - Dec. 21, 2010

Theodore R. "Ted" Jones passed away on Dec. 21, of heart failure at the age of 87. He was surrounded by his children, grandchildren and friends who loved him.

Ted was born Feb. 15, 1923, to Robert Lee and Ollie Lucy Bishop Jones in Gordon County, Ga., the youngest of nine children. He attended a one-room school in Alabama and later graduated high school from the distinguished Berry Academy (now Berry College) in Mt. Berry, Ga. Ted entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1941, becoming a pilot and master sergeant. While on assignment in Washington, D.C., in 1948, he met and married his bride, Judy. During his 20-year military career, Ted flew transport, training and jet aircraft and completed several domestic and foreign tours of duty. A challenging aviation maneuver for Ted was landing transport aircraft on carriers with no tail hooks or room for error.

He retired from the military in 1961 and for the next 15 years worked at Babcock Electronics in Costa Mesa, first as a field representative and later as director of engineering, providing sophisticated electronic devices for aerospace and missile defense-related applications. In the later '70s, he became a Realtor in Southern California and after moving to Oroville in 1981, owned Lake Oroville Realty. He and his wife, Judy, built their home in Kelly Ridge. Ted enjoyed boating and waterskiing with his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. He water-skied into his 70's and played golf well into his 80's. The last several years, Ted filled his days working on his computer, solving Sudoku puzzles, tending his fruit trees and playing cards and eating out with family and friends. Until recent weeks, he walked every day. Neighbors and family looked to him for help with practical, mechanical and technical concerns.

Ted was predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Judy, in 2006, and six brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Lazorko (grandchildren Tim, Laura and Brett); son, Ted P. Jones (Nancy); and nieces and nephews. Ted was marked by his independence and self-sufficiency and his generous helpfulness and care for his family and friends. He was a good and honorable man and will be dearly and sorely missed. We love you, Pop. A memorial gathering will take place at his home in Kelly Ridge, Thursday, Dec. 30, from noon to 2 p.m. and a veteran's service will follow at a later date at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif.