Obituary of Jack Dunham Jones

Jack Dunham Jones, Jr., 84, adoring husband and loving father, passed away peacefully after a long battle with heart and lung disease on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. Born in East Orange, NJ to Ruth Ada (Gutzwiller) Jones and Jack Dunham Jones Sr. on May 31, 1927, he grew up in New Jersey and attended Nutley High School. It was here that he met his high school sweetheart, Joan Elizabeth Stager. Jack enlisted in the Navy January 16, 1945 and served as a Seaman Second Class on board the USS Conklin DE439, a destroyer escort. On June 5, 1945, the Conklin was heavily damaged by a Typhoon off of Okinawa. A monstrous wave knocked the ship 78 degrees onto her side. Three men were killed instantly but the ship and the rest of the crew survived and made way to Mare Island, CA for repairs. Jack was honorably discharged September 26, 1945. After leaving the Navy, Jack attended Pace University in New York and he courted and married Joan Elizabeth Stager on August 1, 1947. Jack spent his entire professional career honing his remarkable skills as a salesman and sales manager. He worked for many companies including Diebold, SCM, Underwood, Warner Lambert and retired from National Carriers, Inc. of Liberal, Kansas in 1986. He lived his life as a salesman in many places, including Texas, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and ending in Spring Hill, Florida where he and Joanie retired. Jack and Joanie traveled the country in their RV for many years after retirement; exploring much of the USA from Alaska to California and New England to Washington. Jack lost his wife, Joanie, after 55 years together, on February 1, 2003. He is survived by his three sons, Jack Dunham Jones III of Bothell, WA, Robert McKay Jones and his wife Jacqueline of Sterling, MA, Lawrence Andrew Jones and his wife Cathie of San Pablo, CA and his sister Noel Beder and her husband Jonathon of Simsbury, CT. He has six grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jack will always be remembered for his eternal love and devotion to Joanie, his sincere charm and charisma, his passion for learning, singing, writing poetry, improvising and his undying love for his family. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Services will be held in New England at a date and time not yet disclosed. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the ASPCA, Attn: Linda Tiramani, 520 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018 (www.aspca.com).