Ronald E. Jones

Ronald E. "Ron" Jones, Frackville, passed away Monday evening at Broad Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Frackville, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Fountain Springs, June 18, 1932, he was a son of the late Samuel and Lillie Williams Jones.

A lifelong resident of Frackville, he was a 1951 graduate of the former Frackville High School.

Ronald was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church. No matter what Ron did in life, foremost to him was his devotion to his faith through the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Blessed Mother and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Ron was an Army veteran of the Korean War, serving with the 5th Infantry Division and the 5th Division Band. He served in France with the 76th Army Band in Paris and Orleans, France. He often reminisced of performing on the cliffs of Normandy on the 10th anniversary ceremony of the D-Day Invasion and also performing numerous times at the U.S. Embassy in Paris and playing and marching in a 90-piece band on the Champs Elysees and through the Arc de Triomphe on the 10th anniversary of the Liberation of Paris in 1954.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Father James A. Hogan Council 2580, Frackville, Schuylkill Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Frackville American Legion Post 398, former vice president of Frackville Borough Council, former member and treasurer of UNICO National and its Schuylkill Valley concert and marching band, American Society of Military Comptrollers, American Federation of Musicians, Welsh Society of Philadelphia and a retired Sergeant Major in the Finance Corps of the Army Reserves.

Ron was employed by the federal government at Fort Indiantown Gap for 35 years. He served as a budget/management analyst for the Army Corps of Engineers and was also the deputy finance and accounting officer. Most notably for this position, he was appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Treasurer of the United States.

He was a well-known musician in the local area, performing with the Eddie and Tony Karpee bands, the Joe Minarchick Orchestra, the Skyliners, and the UNICO concert and marching bands to name a few, while also being part of the orchestras of Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Italian singer Sergio Franchi when they performed in the Poconos during the 1970s.

Ron was adept on the clarinet, saxophone and flute. He was also a Phillies fan and an aficionado of baseball and World War II. However, his family was the most important part of his life, most especially the love he gave to his wife, son and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry, Robert and Roy Jones; a sister, Elizabeth Hopkins.

Surviving are the love of his life, Jeanne Sarra Jones, Frackville, to whom he was married 60 years; a loving son, Brad and his wife, Kathleen Lombardo Jones, Mountain Top; two beloved grandchildren, Samantha "Sami" and Chase; nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give a sincere thank you to all the nurses and staff at Broad Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Frackville, especially the staff on the second floor east. We are very thankful for your sincerity, compassion and devotion. You are the greatest, along with Life Choice Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Frackville, with the Rev. Robert T. Finlan, pastor, as the celebrant. Friends may call at the church from 8:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions be made in Ron's name to Life Choice Hospice at www.lifechoicehospice.com or by calling 800-557-7570. Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information, please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville, is in charge of the arrangements.

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