Ralph Marinius Jones Sr.

He is survived by his son, Ralph M. Jones, Jr. of Las Cruces, NM, his daughter, Janice (Jones) Morelli of Las Vegas, Nevada, and grandson Aaron Johnston of Reno, NV. His wife, Ardis, daughter, Jacqueline Johnston, and grandson, Joseph Johnston, preceded him in death.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, the son of Laurence “Lauri” and Florence Jones, he joined the U.S. Navy at age 18 upon graduation from Vancouver High School. He served aboard U.S.S. Tennessee (BB43) from December 1943 until March 1946. During that period he participated in every major action of the US Seventh Fleet in the Southwest Pacific, earning the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal (seven battle stars), the American Area Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Medal (two battle stars).

After leaving the Navy, Ralph attended the University of Oregon. After graduation, he worked as a Sales Representative for H. J. Heinz Company in Bend Oregon, and Burger and Plate Food Brokerage in San Francisco California. Eventually, Ralph and his family moved to Sacramento California, where, in 1957 he went to work as a Sales Representative for General Foods Corporation, Maxwell House Division. He transferred to Reno, Nevada in the early 1960’s, where he worked as a coffee salesman until his retirement in 1985.

Ralph and Ardis moved back home to Vancouver in 1985. He joined the Fort Vancouver Lions Club just as his older brother, Larry Jones, had and ultimately served terms as Vice-President and President in that chapter. He was also selected as a Melvin Jones Fellow by the Fort Vancouver Lions Club. In addition to his service with the Lions Club, Ralph also volunteered with the Vancouver chapter of the AARP. He enjoyed his volunteer activities and made many good friends, in addition to his high school buddies, who he met every month for breakfast. In 2013, he moved in with his son, Ralph Jr., in Las Cruces, NM due to health issues caused by his long-term Diabetes.

A funeral service is scheduled for 1:00pm on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at Vancouver Funeral Chapel, 110 E. 12th St., Vancouver. Military honors and committal will directly follow at Park Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Vancouver Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, WA.