CHARLES JONES

JONES CHARLES RAY JONES, COLONEL US ARMY and US ARMY NATIONAL GUARD Charles Jones died peacefully of congestive heart failure at age 88 at Johns Hopkins Hospital on November 15, 2018, surrounded by his wife of 68 years, DeJuana Hale, and beloved Pastor Rob Erickson. Charles is predeceased by son, Gregory, mother Cleo, father Virgil, and brother Woodrow, and survived by a younger sister, Francis Jones Martin of Houston. He was a loving grandfather to Katy Jones of Chicago and Evan Jones of Minneapolis. Charles grew up in Texas around horses and cattle and became a skilled bronc rider at age 16. He met DeJuana, the love of his life, in Oklahoma where they were married. During the Korean Conflict, Charles served on Okinawa as a radio announcer for the Far East Network while DeJuana taught high school English in Oklahoma. Upon his return, Charles completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and a Master of Science in school administration from Oklahoma State University. He became a high school teacher and later served as principal of the Vance Air Force Base Elementary School in Enid, Oklahoma. When a retired general suggested that he take flight training, a new career evolved. In 1970 he was assigned to the Pentagon. His missions took him far and wide, and he retired as Chief of US Army Aviation NG in 1988. Charles was a voracious reader, a gifted writer, a meditator, and a singer whose musical taste ranged from spirituals to Wagner's Flying Dutchman. An engaging conversationalist and great storyteller, possessed with wit, good humor, and a caring soul, Charles made friends wherever he went. His charities were many. In retirement, he restored bicycles for needy children. He set up a shop in his otherwise perfectly groomed back garden and there, over a thousand bicycles passed through Charles' s loving hands on the way to welcoming children. The moniker, Bike Doctor, prevailed. In the seventies, Charles ran two successful Washington Marine Marathons. He enjoyed metal detecting in old deserted mining towns in Kansas and Arizona, deep sea diving off Florida's coast, calligraphy, coin collecting, and photography. A memorial service was held on November 30 at Heritage Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, Virginia. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery to be announced at a later date. Charles was deeply committed to his church, Heritage Presbyterian, and served as an ordained Elder and Clerk of the Session. Charles lived life to its fullest and will be deeply missed by many.Charles was deeply committed to his church, Heritage Presbyterian, and served as an ordained Elder and Clerk of the Session. Charles lived life to its fullest and will be deeply missed by many.