George Jones, 82, of Pinellas Park, Florida, passed away on July 14, 2019. He was born in Clayton, New Mexico, grew up in Amistad, New Mexico, and graduated from Clayton High School.
George spent two years in the New Mexico National Guard and then on March 26, 1955, he enlisted in the United States Air Force for four years. He was involved in aerial gunnery on the B-36, a large 10 engine bomber used in the Strategic Air Command.
George and his wife Sharol were married on July 7, 1956 at Carswell Air Force Base, in Ft. Worth, Texas. Throughout their 63 years of marriage, they deeply loved each other and were best friends.
After his discharge, he went on to obtain his Airframe and PowerPlant Mechanic license, Flight Engineer license and Commercial Pilot license from Northrop Institute of Technology and Rose Aviation in Los Angeles, California. He worked as an airline mechanic for five years with American and Western Airlines. From there he began a flying career with National and Pan Am Airlines, and flew for twenty-seven years as a flight engineer on the DC-8, Boeing 707 and 727 and was flying with Pan Am on the 747, before he retired.
George’s crew bases were in Oakland, CA, Miami, FL, JFK, NY, Quito, Ecuador, Cairo, Egypt and Tokyo, Japan. Some of his assignments included flying into four bases in Vietnam, Saigon, Pleiku, Danang and Cam Ron Bay, carrying supplies and the Stars & Stripes News, then flying troops on R & R flights to Sydney, Australia and Honolulu, Hawaii. During Desert Storm, he helped move troops between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
Flying the White House press team that followed Air Force One with President Bush 41, on several flights was a highlight of his career along with carrying numerous Hollywood and government celebrities. His longest non-stop flight was 14 hours 7 minutes in a 707 from Tokyo to Dover, Delaware, bringing home soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam.
George and Sharol enjoyed travelling and vacationing in New Mexico, California, Iowa, North Carolina and Missouri. Sharol and family, relatives and friends will dearly miss George Jones, a wonderful man and role model.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Harold M. and Edith Mamie Jones. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sharol D. Jones; by his loving family, children, Kelly Jones and Michael Jones; grandchildren, Nicholas Naughton, Charlie Naughton and Ashley Hanlon and her husband, Micheal; and great-grandchildren, Brianna Naughton and Alexander Naughton; brother, Harold Dean Jones and sister, Clara May Daves. George is also survived by many devoted and loving relatives and friends.
A Private Family Viewing will be held from 5:00PM to 6:00PM on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, at Veterans Funeral Care located at 15381 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, Florida, 33760. Immediately following the Private Family Viewing, a Public Viewing will be held from 6:00PM to 7:00PM.
A graveside service, with Military Honors, is scheduled for 11:00AM on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, Garden of Memory Section, located at 2853 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, Florida, 33759.
We love and miss you so much Grandpa <3 Thank you for all the love and support you have always given us. We appreciate everything you have ever done.
Love you forever,
Ashley and Micheal Hanlon
Debbie and I offer our deepest condolances to your family. We have always loved and enjoyed the company of you and Sharol through the short time we have known you both. You have always been kind, funny and very knowledgeable, I have enjoyed our conversation on aircraft, your travels and books read. I will always miss your big friendly smile and warm greeting.
Thank you for allowing us to meet and know your extended family. You will be missed by many.
Love Debbie and Dave.
To Dad, I love you so much and I miss you. I am still shocked that you have passed away, and I am still remembering being with you as you took your last breathe. I heart aches as I think about you have suffered these last few years and especially the last 12 days. I think you were accepting that you would be passing away and you reminded Mike that Mom had missed her appointments. We will take care of Mom and we cherish every moment that we have had together, and you have taught us so much. We hope you are at peace, and out of your terrible pain.
Love always, Kelly, your daughter
Heaven truly gained a wonderful angel. George had such a great and loving heart. I am very blessed to be a part of this family for the past 21 + years. I love you all and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Sharol we are so sorry to hear of George passing. He did put up a good fight and I know the two of you were also making the most of the most of these remaining months to sum up the wonderful years you committed to each other . We were so happy to have known George even if it were for only a few short years. Our condolences to you Sharol and all your family. George if you are also able to read this we will miss you and with our little inside joke I hope you can help me get my halo straight as you know it sometimes falls off. Sharol I will call you later after you have time to rest. 💗
Ron and I want to send our deepest condolences to you all. We have had so many fun vacations together the past several years besides you coming to Iowa several times and we coming to Florida. I was with Sharol when you two met. You were a great Air Force kid then and a wonderful friend to the end. We will always cherish our G & S, S & G, R & K, and K & R trademark. Ron says he is sure going to miss his “text” buddy. We love you both George and Sharol, from Ron and Kaye