Johnny Russell Jones

John's baby pictures were posted in the Macon newspaper and he won the baby contest at the county fair. Macon was the city all four of the children were born in. John’s new sister, Connie, was born just 10 months later. Connie was born with physical complications. As a result, John spent a lot of time in his first years of life at his aunt's home while his parents dealt with a partially cerebrally damaged daughter. Eight years later this would prove to be a test that turned into a testimony. Connie’s recovery would bring the whole family to the Lord in 1958.

John was very verbal of his love for God as a small child. He would go around saying "Hallelujah." John was good in school. He scored well in math and loved history, especially U.S. history. The Civil War would be a lifelong interest for John and the entire family.

John was great in sports. He did so well in baseball that upon graduating from Estancia High School in Costa Mesa, he received an invitation letter to play for the Baltimore Orioles farm team. He chose a path of working instead and was the supervisor of dozens of people at Fashion Island landscape maintenance in Newport Beach at age 18. John is the last of the people who were part of the Goat Hill Gang from Costa Mesa.

John had some internal pain that caused him to fall into the world for several years. His parents continued to pray and believe that God would bring him back. Finally, at age 44, John had his prodigal return and rededicated his life to Jesus. John had learned wood working and concrete from his father, so he started working in construction.

In 1977, John's son was born. Everyone was happy about the first grandson. The baby stayed an extra day at Hoag Hospital as they would not release him until a name was decided upon, so Lee Dalton Jones it was.

John spent many years in landscaping and construction which was preparing him to be the Plant Manager at Valle Vista Assembly of God, where he served for 25 years. John's daughter, Shawnee, was born on September 13th 1990. She started kindergarten the same year her brother, Lee, graduated from San Jacinto High School. We teased John about his great family planning which had him taking kids to school for 24 years. John had four grandchildren that he lived for. Lee and Andrea have Analeen and Luke of Colorado. Shawnee has 2 children, Carson and Audrey of California. She and her husband, Daniel, are looking forward to the arrival of their daughter in September.

Most recently, John was working at Valley Restart as the night time security officer. His heart's desire was to keep the family together and talked often about getting everyone together later this year around the Christmas season. The circle will only be complete in heaven. John loved America, John Wayne, his family, and the Lord Jesus. Because of God's grace, we will see him in heaven.