Robert Jones

Robert (Bob) Melton Jones of Oakwood, Georgia passed away Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the age of 92. After months of declining health, Bob passed away peacefully, while visiting his oldest daughter, Pam Rogers and her family at their home in Orman Beach, Florida.
Bob was a native Georgian, born in North Georgia on January 26, 1931, to Father Eugene Jones and Mother Jenny Mae Jones. Bob grew up for most of his young years with his older brother, Raymond, in Gainesville, Georgia. Bob attended Gainesville High School, where he was known for his sports talent. Though Bob participated in many sports, he mostly enjoyed football, baseball and running track. He was considered one of the fastest in track and field and helped Gainesville High School place statewide during many seasons. But it was his prowess running the football for the Red Elephants that resulted in his nickname appearing many times in the Gainesville Times as "Jet Jones." A formidable force on the late 1940's Red Elephant's offense, starting running back Jet Jones received many accolades, as well as recruiting letters of interest from Clemson University, Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia.
Inspired by friends and relatives that served during World War II, Bob chose to enlist in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. Proud of his service aboard the Attack Aircraft Carrier (CVA) USS Kearsarge, Bob would often pull out his memorabilia from his days at sea and talk about his experiences with his family.
Returning to Gainesville, Georgia after his years in the Navy, Bob met and married, after a short courtship, the love of his life, Bertha Alene Tucker of Mountain Home, Arkansas. They knew they were meant for each other at first sight. Bob and Bertha Jones settled in Gainesville to build a good Christine family, eventually having two beautiful daughters. The family attended Woodlawn Baptist Church for many years, where Bob became an ordained deacon and Bertha was very active with several Church organizations. In later years, they transferred to Blackshear Place Baptist Church. For the past almost 20 years the family has been faithful members of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Raymond Jones, and his beloved wife of 62 years, Bertha Jones. He is survived by his daughters, Pam and her husband Kirk Rogers, Paula and her husband Greg Bagley, and his grandchildren, Ian Rogers, Shane and Kate Driscoll, Nickolas and Sunni Bagley, and Justin and Myra Bagley.
A visitation for Bob is planned Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville, Georgia. All are invited to attend. The funeral will be held the following morning Friday, July 21, 2023 at 11:00 am, starting in the Funeral Home Chapel and moving to the graveside service next door at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA 30504 is in charge of arrangements.
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