James Andrew Jones

November 14, 1946 – January 19, 2020

Jim passed away surrounded by his family after a valiant two-and-a-half-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer. Husband of 52 years to Susan (Foster). Father and co-leader of the lifetime cheering section for Deborah and her husband Bill, and David and his husband Rob. But his most prized role was that of Grandpa to Libby, Matt, Emily, James, and soon-to-arrive Andrew. They cherished and adored him almost as much as he loved and doted upon them.

Born and raised in Texarkana, Arkansas, he remained an avid and optimistic Razorbacks football fan through good seasons and bad. He was the sixth of nine children, born to the late Irene (Brock) and Dale Jones. He was predeceased by sisters Mary Frances Skinner, Janet Rayborn, and Vivian Joan Ceasear, as well as his younger brother (and fellow Razorbacks football devotee), Jonathan Jones. He was also predeceased by his brothers-in-law Loyd Durham, Charles Skinner, and Hershel Rayborn, and his sister-in-law Yasuko Jones. He is survived by older brothers Dale Jones of Abilene, Texas, and David and his wife Donna Jones of Paragould, Arkansas, and by sisters Judith Durham of New Boston, Texas, and Jean and her husband Jimmy Stephens of Hooks, Texas. In addition to his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was also predeceased by his beloved mother-in-law, Esther, with whom he shared a quick wit, wonderfully dry sense of humor, and so many jokes.

Jim was a veteran of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He graduated from UMass Boston before there was an actual campus, and enjoyed walking from old building to old building all over the Back Bay to attend classes. Despite not being a Boston native, he could navigate the back streets of the city as well as (or perhaps better than) any seasoned Boston driver. Although he intended to become a history teacher, the state of the employment market of the 1970s led him to pursue his MBA at Suffolk University and a long career in accountancy in the manufacturing field. In addition, he was an evening and weekend housekeeping supervisor at South Shore Hospital, in order to provide the best possible educational opportunities for his children. He remarked often that he really enjoyed the people with whom he worked throughout his life.

He was a past Master of the Phoenix Masonic Lodge in Hanover, and in very recent years became a Shriner and joined the Mini Haulers team. He had such fun driving a miniature tractor-trailer in parades to raise money for the Shriners Hospital for Children’s transportation fund. He also enjoyed grilling, slapstick comedy, ham radio, going to Nantasket Beach with his family, bird watching, vintage airplanes, and road trips across the country.

Jim’s family wishes to offer special thanks to the Norwell VNA and Hospice for the exceptional care that was provided during his last days at the Pat Roche Hospice Home in Hingham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of James A. Jones to the Aleppo Mini Haulers, 176 Fisher Road, Fitchburg, MA, 01420.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday from 4-8 PM with a Masonic Service at 7 PM. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10 AM at the First Congregational Church, 17 Silver Street, Hanover. Burial to follow with Military Honors at Hanover Center Cemetery.