Charles Franklin Jones JR. Obituary (1925

Chuck Jones, 82, passed away peacefully October 24, 2008, in Bremerton, Washington. Chuck was born November 14, 1925 in Seattle to Charles F. Sr. and Mary Agnes (McGinnis) Jones. Chuck was raised in Bremerton where he spent most of his life, attending local schools before joining the U.S. Navy in 1943. He was trained as a radioman and gunner in carrier-based divebomber aircraft. His unit was staged to embark overseas from the East coast when the war in the Pacific ended. He was briefly recalled to active duty in 1951, and stationed on Guam for just under a year. While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia he met and in time proposed to Ellen Whitworth, a Navy WAVE from Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Chuck and Ellen were married on December 28, 1946. Honorably discharged from the service, Chuck and Ellen returned to the Pacific Northwest. Chuck used his skills as a telegraph operator and radioman to land a job as a rail traffic dispatcher with Northern Pacific Railroad. They soon moved to Bremerton, seeking other opportunities and to be closer to family. Chuck found work at the naval shipyard, where Ellen also later worked after their children were through their early school years. Chuck and family moved twice from Bremerton as part of career advancements. In the mid-1960's he took a management position with General Services Administration (GSA) in Auburn, moving the family to Tacoma. In 1968, he accepted a promotional opportunity with Navy Printing in Philadelphia, moving there for two years. Chuck and Ellen always considered Bremerton their home, and after each of those moves, returned to the area. Chuck retired as Regional Director for GSA Administrative Services in 1980. In retirement, Chuck and Ellen enjoyed travelling around the country in their RV, with many trips to visit their children's families, other relatives, and several friends in various locations across the country. For years they were also avid boaters, touring around Puget Sound with both sail and power craft. Among his other hobbies, Chuck had been a drummer since high school and enjoyed playing in local dance bands over the years. He also created stained glass pieces, from ornaments to window size mosaics, and loved to work on home improvement projects for his own family and to help others. The family were longtime parishioners at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, where Chuck and Ellen were actively involved in community programs and activities, and their sons attended Star of the Sea school. Chuck was preceded in death by his father and mother, both of Bremerton; his spouse, Ellen, who died in June 2001; and his sister Bernie. Chuck remarried on October 4, 2007 to Jeri Fagan, also a lifelong member of Star of the Sea parish. Having been reacquainted in 2006, Chuck and Jeri spent a very active and happy two years together before Chuck became gravely ill, from which he sadly was not able to recover. In addition to Jeri, Chuck is survived by he and Ellen's 4 sons and their families, including 14 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild: Mike and spouse Louanne of Anacortes, and their children Brian and Scott; Glen and spouse Un Ha of Richland, and their children Amy, Peter, Jeff, and Stacy; John and spouse Sandy of Silverdale, their children Megan, Shawna, Katie and Julie, and great-grandchild Gracie; and Dan and spouse Debbie of Portland, Oregon, and their children Amy, Melissa, Julie, and Sarah. Chuck is also survived by his brother Don (and spouse Jennine) of Hamilton, Montana; and two sisters, Juanita (and spouse Jim) of Mesa, Arizona, and Allison of Savannah, Georgia. Memorial services and reception are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 1, at Lewis Funeral Chapel, 5303 Kitsap Way, Bremerton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Kitsap County or a charity of your choice.