Gerald Paul Jones

Gerald "Jerry" Paul Jones passed away on August 20th, 2025 in Chula Vista, California. Jerry was born August 17, 1943 in New York and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio along with two brothers and a sister. He reminisced often about growing up with extended family and everyone singing and playing music together. His dad was an electrician while his mom directed her energy on managing the household and raising their children. After high school he became a merchant marine, working on freighters on the Great Lakes and also attended Bowling Green University where he met his first wife, Judy. He enlisted in the Marines in the 1960s and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan; serving as a marine was a source of pride throughout his life. Eventually he and Judy moved to Midland, Michigan where they started a family and he worked as a traveling salesman.

In 1986 Jerry received his bachelors degree from Saginaw Valley State College and moved west - briefly to Arizona and then later San Diego, where he lived for the rest of his life and eventually started a commercial and residential painting business. He was a proud business owner for over 30 years. He loved living in the San Diego area and was very involved with a variety of organizations, including the Elks, the Free Masons, and AA, the latter of which he spoke about openly and became a core part of his identity. His love of the arts was evident between his interest in photography (including taking pictures for the jazz society, among other organizations) as well as swing dancing and zydeco. He was so passionate about dance, he spent many weekends throughout the year dancing with friends for the entire weekend. A particularly fond memory for Jerry was being crowned 'king' of 'Gator by the Bay' one year and riding around, taking pictures with his crown and using his truck for a parade float. He also loved December nights in Balboa Park each Christmas. Jerry was also a train enthusiast and a true trainspotter, keeping a large model train on display in his residence as well as driving to L.A. once a week for years to take pictures of trains.

He is survived by his daughter, Amy, his son, Jeff, daughter-in-law, Karen and one grandson, all of Chicago, as well as his brother, Ron, of Las Vegas and his sister, Barbara, and brother-in-law, Jerry, of Tacoma, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Genevieve and Raymond, and his brother, Roy. A celebration of Jerry's life will be planned for later this fall. In lieu of any flowers, any donations may be made to Alzheimer's San Diego.