Burwell Otis Jones M.D.

Burwell Otis Jones, M.D.

Burwell Otis Jones, M.D. (Bumpy) March 23, 1933 - Feb 6, 2021. Bumpy was a beloved dermatologist, serving many generations, and a 1952 Olympic gold medalist swimmer, breaking world records both at the collegiate and Masters level.

Bumpy married his college sweetheart, Rita-al Goding in 1956. Their 36-year marriage resulted in five children: Burwell John (BJ) Jones, James Goding Jones (deceased), Elene Kay Jones, Kathleen Jones Stottlemyer, and Maureen Jones.

He is survived by Kathleen Ann Jones (formerly Kathleen Anne Butts, formerly Kathleen Anne Thiem, formerly Kathleen Anne Dougherty) whom he married on April 30, 1992, who already had two offspring, Troy James Thiem and Denise Marie Thiem.

He is survived by the mother of his children, Rita-al Goding Jones. His children and grandchildren: BJ Jones, wife Judy, children, Allison and Michael; grandson Alden James Jones; Elene Jones, husband, Jeff Writer; Kathleen Jones Stottlemyer, husband Kent and children Brennan, Rydell, Emmett, and Saylor; and Maureen, children Jacqueline and Paige.

He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and underwent residency at three locations: the University of Virginia, the United States Air Force and Duke University. In 1965, he moved with his family to Sarasota, FL to open a private dermatology practice.

He was a highly accomplished All American competitive swimmer. Collegiately, he swam for the University of Michigan and won three NCAA Championships. Internationally, he swam for the United States Olympic Team in several Pan American Games and the 1952 Olympic Games. He set three world records in the 400-meter individual medley. He also holds and will always hold, the world record in the 150-meter individual medley. He won 110 National Masters Championships, 5 FINA Masters World Championships, 7 Canadian and 22 YMCA Championships. He set 39 FINA Maters World records, 145 Masters National Records and was among the top three Masters World rankings 66 times. He instigated and supported the first 50-meter pools in Venice and at Arlington Park in Sarasota. He assisted in creating U.S. Master Swimming in the early 70's.

His golfing accomplishments include many Country Club Championships throughout Sarasota along with several Senior Florida State Championships.

All his adult life he swam and hit golf balls every day, marking a zero on his calendar when he missed a day. For fifty years, he only marked 0 to 3 zeros per year. The family was sad that for the last 76 days of his life, he had to put zeros on the calendar. His children want to thank with immense gratitude, all the caretakers in the many nursing homes and facilities that cared for him in the last 76 days of his life.