PENDLETON
Donald Jones, 77, of Pendleton, Indiana, passed away July 9, 2024, at his residence. He was born on December 5, 1946, in Fort Meade, Maryland to Robert Jones and Rosemary Johnston Jones. His father was a career soldier and a helicopter mechanic. When Don was 6, his father was stationed in Japan and family moved with him. Unfortunately, his father was killed in an airplane accident when Don was 7. He, his mother Rosemary and his brother and sister then moved back to Anderson where his father’s family lived.
Don had a newspaper route all throughout high school in addition to being in the band and on both the wrestling and football teams. He graduated from Madison Heights High School in 1965 and attended Purdue and Ball State universities, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business.
He joined the Indiana National Guard and was a jumpmaster for his unit for 6 years and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for outstanding heroic actions. He worked at Delco-Remy Division of General Motors while completing his degree. While at Delco, he joined Electronic Data Systems as a Project Engineer in 1984 and remained there until retirement. Don was part of the team that implemented much of the inventory system in Plant 20.
Don was an avid Corvette owner and was a charter member of the Anderson Corvette Club. He coached and umpired Little League Baseball and softball for 35 years. He was a Pendleton Junior Football Coach and eventually held the position of league president several years after his own boys aged out.
In addition, Don was recognized as a Sagamore of the Wabash in 2004. He was a recipient of the Friend of Eagle Award in 2005, of which he was immensely proud. Don earned every award the Sakima District has to offer including the District Award of Merit in 2001 and the Sakima White Hat in 2005 and again in 2014. He was also awarded the Silver Beaver distinguished service award. In his 20+years in scouting he successfully guided over 35 boys to rank of Eagle Scout using the opportunity to help guide them onto the right path for life. He consistently taught Eagle 101 at the Sakima Merit Badge Day to help the youngest of Scouts get on the path early for the Eagle summit. Don also served Sakima Advancement Committee for 13 years and was a Unit Commissioner for 10 years. He currently served as an Assistant Scoutmaster at Troop 232 in Pendleton and had done so for 20 years. He was a fixture at the scouting events and always had a good-humored way of approaching every challenge.
Donald is survived by his wife, Sarah “Sally” Jean Jones; two sons, Brian (Tiffany) Jones, Jeffrey M. (Mindi) Jones; a daughter, Jane M. Jones; three grandchildren, Reid Jones, Parker & Mackenzi Burns; a niece, Becky King; a sister-in-law, Carol Kladden.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Rosemary Jones; Brother, James Jones; and sister, Judy Kay Jones.
A celebration of life was held Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Bozell Funeral Homes, Brown-Butz-Diedring Chapel, Anderson, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scout Troop 232, Pendleton, Indiana.
Online condolences may be shared at: www.bozellfuneralhome.com
