Eugene D. Jones

Eugene Dale Jones, 85, of Los Osos, was born in September 1925 in Cottonwood Falls, Kan., to David and Lois Jones, and died following a lengthy illness Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, at a Morro Bay care facility, with his family at his bedside. Gene proudly served his country during World War II with the 14th U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed in China, Burma and India. After his discharge, he moved back to Wichita, Kan., where he met and married Ramona Rashleigh in 1947. They raised their two children, Connie and Michael, in Kansas and moved to California to work as a purchasing agent for Continental Trailways Bus Co. in Los Angeles and Albuquerque, N.M. Upon their return to California, he worked for Volkswagen until he retired, when they moved to Rancho Cucamonga. Eugene and Ramona moved to the Los Osos/Morro Bay area in 1997. After Ramona''s death in 1998, Gene took an active role in volunteering at the San Luis Obispo Sportsmen''s Association and worked on many projects. He also received NRA training and certification as a Range Master. He passed many hours of enjoyment with his son, Michael, grandsons Christopher and Gregory, along with friends on the target range. He also loved camping and fishing with them at varying sites along the Central Coast and had a memorable fishing trip with them to Mexico. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 66 in San Luis Obispo. In 2003, through an introduction by friends at the Sportsmen''s Assoc., he met and fell in love with Edna Piantanida of San Luis Obispo. They married in 2004, and were very active in planning and completing the remodeling of their home and traveling during their short time together. He was truly a kind and much loved husband, father, grandfather and friend. His wonderful smile will remain with us forever along with the wonderful memories until we meet again. His family would like to extend our thanks to the wonderful people at Bayside Center, who took such great care of him and the family during the past year. We would also like to thank Hospice Partners of Morro Bay and Dr. Mark Ward for their kindness and support. Gene is survived by his daughter, Connie Arnold (Bud) of Orange, Calif.; son, Michael Jones (Diane) of Los Osos; grandchildren Shandra Crogan (Roy) of Orange, Shad (Janelle) Arnold of Tustin, Calif., and Christopher and Gregory Jones of Los Osos; and great-grandchildren Claire and Blake Arnold of Tustin. Also surviving are his sisters Helen (Murray) Sanders of Carbondale, Colo., and Marilyn (Rex) Smith of Belen, N.M.; along with many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, David and Lois Jones; first wife, Ramona; second wife, Edna; and brother David. At his request no services will be held. A private scattering of his ashes will be held at a date to be determined.