Leon "Lee" Edward Jones

Leon “Lee” Edward Jones

Zionsville – 91, passed away July 2, 2024. He was born February 19, 1933, in Indianapolis to the late Homer Leon and Ethel Otelia Jones. He graduated from Ben Davis High School in the class of 1951 and then from Purdue in 1955 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. On August 22, 1954, he married Joanne Sexton, his high-school sweetheart, and fellow classmate since the 3rd-grade at Flackville School #100. After Purdue, he was employed by Allison in jet engine design for military applications before joining Hugh J Baker & Co in 1960 to work as a NASA contractor on the Saturn Rocket program. In 1964, he became a sales engineer for METCO, an early innovator in plasma and flame spray materials and equipment. With his unique background in materials science and gas turbine design, he helped start Metal Technology of Indiana (MTI) in 1986. In retirement, he played more golf, traveled extensively, and tinkered with his RVs and old sports cars. He and Joanne especially enjoyed wintering in Florida with friends and camping with their grandchildren in Michigan and Southern Indiana. He was a longtime member of Traders Point Christian Church and the Purdue Alumni Association. Leon is survived by his loving wife of nearly 70 years, Joanne Jones; son, Steven Jones (Sandy); daughter, Michelle Hadley (Tom); grandchildren, Rachel Hadley-Choi (Jay Choi), Rebekah Hadley-Dyer (Ryan Dyer), Drew Hadley (Presley), and Reagan Jones; as well as three great-grandchildren, Ian Choi, Cooper Hadley, and Roman Dyer. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 1:30 pm at the Hoosier Village Chapel, with a reception to follow in the adjacent hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, Wheeler Mission, or Indiana Family Institute.