John Sharpe Jones, of New Orleans, passed peacefully from this life on January 12, 2017 at home, surrounded by his family. He was born on February 18, 1930 and lived a full and fascinating life. He spent his youth enjoying the outdoors. From summers fishing with his father on St. Simons Island, Georgia, to life in his home town of Manning, South Carolina hunting in the Black River Swamp, he enjoyed the freedom and comfort of small town living. His mother gave him the gift of independence, allowing him to find his own way and it suited him well throughout his life. His skills as a marksman, began when his father gave him his first pistol at the age of 4, and were refined during his education at the Carlisle Military School and the Citadel Military College. As Captain of the Rifle Team, he led his team to the National Championship, and earned the nickname Sure Shot Jones. After graduating as a Lieutenant, he joined the United States Air Force and served in intelligence for the Strategic Air Command, during the Korean War. Following his discharge, his enjoyment of outdoor adventures led him to crew on a cargo steamer in the Caribbean, obtain his private pilot’s license, start a deep-sea salvage company in Savannah, Georgia, and later to manage the Savannah Yacht Basin. He spent the majority of his professional life in the defense industry, serving as an executive for various companies responsible for maintenance of Air Force planes worldwide, as well as Army helicopters during the Vietnam War. His love of family and country was obvious to all who knew him. He was a gifted and humorous storyteller, and a consummate southern gentleman, loved by all for his kind and gentle disposition. He is preceded in death by his mother, Celeste Ervin Jones of Manning, South Carolina and his father John Sharpe Jones of Atlanta, Georgia. He is survived by two daughters, Margaret Jones (David Isganitis) and Sallie Jones (James Mykris) of New Orleans, and step-children Stacy Ertle and James Peden. He is also lovingly remembered by Edward Ervin, Manning Culpepper, James, Ervin and John Duggan, and Chalmers Bruce, all cousins with whom he was raised. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at JACOB SCHOEN & SON located at 3827 Canal Street. Visitation will take place from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by a service to celebrate his life at 1:30 p.m. in the adjacent chapel. His final wish was to be interred with his mother Celeste. His family will honor his wishes with a memorial service in Manning, South Carolina later this year. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the LASPCA at https://www.la-spca.org/donate/inmemory.
Posted in: New Orleans Advocate
Posted on: 2016-01-17
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theneworleansadvocate/obituary.aspx?n=john-sharpe-jones&pid=183617537&fhid=4708