Carl Jones

Carl Vernon Jones was born January 2, 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama to William Rufus and Alerie Lucas Jones. He grew up in Roebuck Plaza, Alabama and joined the Marine Corps to serve his country in 1964 at age 17. Upon completing recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, SC and Infantry Training at Camp Geiger, NC, he later went to Cherry Point, NC where he was on the boxing team, and was eventually attached to 2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Battalion at Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam in 1965 and 1966. Upon returning home from Vietnam he was assigned in 1966 to HQ Company, 9th Communications Battalion in 29 Palms, CA. Having attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5), he was discharged at his end of active service in 1968 at 29 Palms having fulfilled his duty with honor. While at 29 Palms, his first son was born in 1967, and would later follow in his Father’s footsteps to becoming a Marine in 1986. His youngest son, Brandon, would later do likewise having entered the Marine Corps in 2010. Upon his departure from the Marine Corps, Carl went on to pursue many careers that centered predominantly around his artistic abilities. He worked in numerous fields in his capacity as an artist which included sign painting, freelance design, illustrator with a local TV affiliate, sketch artist for various law enforcement agencies and even taught graphic design in the public education system. During these years he often worked multiple jobs to support his family, which included driving an ambulance, and serving as an Auxiliary Officer for the Birmingham Police Department. As his talents and determination developed, he eventually opened up his own Advertising Agency in the late 1970s where he did graphic design work for such companies as Capri Sun, where he first created the design that would go on to become nationally known, Jim Dandy Dog Food, Goldsboro Jewelers, and numerous other companies throughout his long career. His numerous talents included videography, photography, drawing, illustration, editing and early in his career he even did design work for the packaging of fishing lures invented by fishing legend Tom Mann, whose magazine Carl also published in the 1980s. His talents were not limited to his artistic ability, but he was also a gifted song writer, and channeled this energy especially towards music that would minister to his fellow Veterans. In this capacity he wrote numerous songs for a singing group that he performed with, Homeland, and performed around the country donating countless hours to such endeavors. He was especially proud of the many instances where Vietnam Veterans had informed him that his music had helped them to cope with their own experiences in combat. To truly do justice to the services he rendered to Veterans in need, both financial and otherwise, would require a chapter, and it was in this capacity that his most heartfelt desires became fulfilled. Carl left us to be with our Heavenly Father, June 3, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Linda Jones, his eldest son, Carl Jones (USMC 1986-1990) and wife Donnette Jones, his Daughter Ashley Jones Davidson and Husband Jake Davidson, his youngest son, Brandon Jones (USMC 2010-2016) and fiance Meredith Alexander, 4 grandchildren Joseph, Sam, Gracie and Wyatt, his eldest sister Geraldine, brother Charles, many family members and close friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at the Rockco Funeral Home in Montevallo, Al from 10AM - 2:00 PM. A procession to the Alabama National Cemetery will follow at 2:15PM where he will be laid to rest with full honors from his beloved Marine Corps. Our beloved husband and father, touched so many lives in a way that will never be matched or duplicated. Although our hearts have been broken over our tremendous loss, we find peace in knowing that we will be joined with him in heaven, one day.