November 19, 1933 - June 30, 2016
Gerald Jones was born in Seattle, WA on November 19, 1933 to Fred and Margaret Jones. He attended Roosevelt High School in Seattle and Central Washington University. Upon graduation from college he entered the Air Force. He loved his military career and traveled near and far, most memorably Thailand, Vietnam, and of course Miami, Florida where he met his wife JoAnn Ray. After their marriage in 1961 they continued to travel as Jerry was a pilot and flight instructor on the KC-135. He completed his military career at Fairchild AFB as the 141st Air Refueling Wing's 1st Air Force Advisor. Upon retirement from the Air Force, Jerry obtained a teaching degree from EWU and worked in the Spokane Public Schools for 14 years. Jerry was a naturally gifted athlete who especially enjoyed playing baseball at CWU, in the Alaskan Baseball League, the Cape Cod League and also tried out for the Seattle Rainiers during college. Later in life, his love of baseball led him to coach and mentor many young athletes and he was his children's and grandchildren's favorite fan, showing up in person, or by phone at every single game. Jerry also enjoyed fishing, golfing and volunteering in classrooms at Grant and Willard Elementary schools. He will be fondly remembered for his entertaining stories, laughter, twinkle in his blue eyes and his genuine interest in others. Jerry NEVER met a stranger! Jerry is survived by his wife of 55 years, JoAnn Jones; his daughter Jennifer (Khaled) Hashem of Nantucket, MA; son Rick (Melissa) Jones of Spokane, WA; grandchildren Matthew, Jenna, Benjamin and Ryan; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Ann Ray of Maryville, TN; nephews Dan (Lynne) Ray, David (Tamra) Ray, Steve (Zetta) Leverett, and neices Susan (Mark) Williams, and Patty Leverett as well as numerous beloved great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Shadle Park Presbyterian Church 5508 N. Alberta St., Spokane, WA. All are welcome to attend. A private interment with full military honors will be held at Washington State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please direct any donations to Shadle Park Presbyterian Church or the .
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