John Jones Jr.

Mr. John Young Jones, Jr. “Johnny”, 85, passed away surrounded by his loving wife and family on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at the Kline Hospice House in Mount Airy, Maryland. He was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois on March 7, 1926, the third child to John Young and Iona Jones.

He attended elementary school in Hoopston, Illinois. Growing up in a rural community, he remembered roller-skating down the bumpy brick streets and the influx of migrant workers coming to town during canning season.

He attended high school in Wood River, Illinois, where he played basketball, baseball, and tennis. He was a talented athlete and loved sports. However, participating in church activities was always a more important priority. In fact, if a basketball game was scheduled for Wednesday night, he chose not to play in order to attend the regularly scheduled prayer meeting.

During World War II he was drafted into the Army. His father, since his mother was ill, traveled with him to New York where he kissed him goodbye and sent him off to war. He served in Germany fighting from foxholes in the Battle of the Bulge. While in Germany, each night his family would go into his bedroom at home and pray for an hour for his protection. We attribute his coming home uninjured to the regular prayer of his family and friends.

In September of 1946, John enrolled at Olivet Nazarene University. He made friends easily and excelled in sports, playing basketball, baseball, and softball. He was the President of the “O Club” and taught tennis classes and coached a young boys basketball team.

He spent his career as a teacher of many different subjects in Junior High in Lansing, Ill. Teaching was his passion, and he loved the kids and the kids loved “Mr. Jones”. Parents’ viewed him as a wonderful role model for their children. After he retired from teaching, he obtained his real estate license and sold new construction homes with his brother-in-law, Arnie Brown. In 1997, John and June moved to Frederick, Maryland to be closer to their family.

He enjoyed planning new homes, gardening (even though he called every flower a geranium), traveling in their motor home, golfing, singing southern gospel songs, following sports (especially his beloved Cubs), and eating desserts. His favorite places to visit were Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Williamsburg, Virginia, Door County, Wisconsin, “Roots” famous flea market, and Word of Life in Schroon Lake N.Y.

Above all, He loved his Savior Jesus Christ and purposed each day to live a life pleasing to Him.

He is survived by his wife, June Jones of the home; daughter, Deborah L. Johnson; The Hon. Stephen L. Johnson, son-in-law of Frederick, MD; three grandchildren; Carrie Jenkins (husband Jeremy), Waterford, VA; Matthew Johnson (wife Betsy) and Allison Wells (husband Deron) of Frederick, MD; five great grandchildren; Carter Jenkins, Luke Jenkins, Brayden Jenkins, Mekayla Wells, and Kaden Wells; brother, Wayne Jones (wife Burnice), sister-in law Norma Swanson, brother and sister-in law Arnie and Connie Brown of Frederick, MD. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Gladys Harrison and Ruth Evans.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:30pm at the Frederick Church of the Nazarene - 7899 Opposumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702. The Reverend Rob Merki and Reverend Kenneth Stalls will officiate.

Burial and grave side service will be held on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 11:00am at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery – 107 West Main Street, Middletown, MD 21769.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Frederick Church of the Nazarene - 7899 Opposumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702.