Charles B. Jones

Charles B. Jones
Charles died peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on April 2, 2022. Charles was the loving and faithful husband of 55 years to his late wife Gail and a dedicated father to their three children. Charles was born in San Jose, CA and lived most of his life in Santa Rosa, CA. He attended San Jose State University and after transferring, graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Education and his teaching credential in 1964. He started his career as a teacher in Forestville and soon moved to the Piner-Olivet School District where he taught third, fourth, and sixth grade for over 30 years. One of his passions was his love for the outdoors. He shared this love with hundreds of students over the years by leading the outdoor education program for the district at Camp Cazadero and Westminster Woods. Charles shared this passion with his family as well. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, taking his family hunting at the deer club in Geyserville or to their family cabin at Medicine Lake. His children will never forget the wonderous times they spent there at the cabin when they were young. When his children were grown, Charles would spend time with each of his children's families at the cabin as well, continuing the family legacy.
Charles' hobbies didn't end with fishing and hunting, he enjoyed cooking and traveling as well. At Thanksgiving he would cook the turkeys in his outdoor pizza oven, make dozens of homemade pheasant raviolis, an amazing stracotta sauce, and so much more. Charles loved to travel and explore with his family including trips to Yellowstone, Europe, the Outer Banks, and the Grand Canyon.
Truly a renaissance man, he loved crushing grapes and making homemade wine with his friends.
His love was not limited to his family and friends. His trusty dogs Pinot and Vida were always with him, in his truck, on the couch, or on his bed, they never left his side.
In his retirement, when Charles wasn't hunting or fishing you could find him in his woodshop making heirloom quality rocking horses and hope chests for his eight grandchildren and grand nieces and nephews. He also lived his dream as a gentleman farmer. He planted, farmed, and carefully tended 5 acres of Pinot Noir grapes, from which produced award winning wines at local wineries. Charles and his wife Gail were known for hosting wonderful family gatherings, including their eldest granddaughter's wedding, family reunions, and Thanksgiving for the last 40 years at their beautiful property in Santa Rosa. Charles' faith was very important to him, he was a lifelong Catholic and attended Resurrection Parish. He will be greatly missed by his sister Carolyn Weinberger of Berkeley, his sister-in-law Carol of Santa Cruz, his children, Sheila (Frank) Esser of Napa; Maureen (John) McCurry of Santa Rosa, and Sean Jones of Horseshoe Bend, ID and his eight grandchildren Kaitlin (Dan) Ager; Maureen and Shannon Esser; Brigid and Julia McCurry; Lelia, Noah, and Mia Jones, and two great-grandchildren, Abby and Jake Ager. Preceded in death by his infant daughter Colleen, his parents Bill and Frances Jones, and his wife Gail Jones. A Funeral Mass will be said at Resurrection Parish in Santa Rosa, Saturday, April 9th at 2pm. Donations may be made in Charles' name to Catholic Charities https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/