Donald McLean Jones

September 5, 1923 – January 28, 2021

Donald Jones passed away on January 28, 2021 at the age of 97 from natural causes. He is survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Debbie Noyes (Don), his son Doug Jones (Barbara), sister-in-law Jeanne Thomas, grandchildren Hilary, Lindsey, Rob, and Lisa, and six great-grandchildren.

Don was born in Oakland California in 1923. He attended Piedmont High School and went on to Stanford University in 1941. World War II interrupted his studies in economics and he entered the Army Air Force and trained to be a navigator-bombardier throughout the war. After joining the Reserves, he graduated from Stanford in 1947, whereupon he joined his father, Ray Jones, in the insurance business. Soon after that he met his future wife, Ann Thomas, and they were married in 1949, the beginning of a wonderful 71 year marriage. He always told us she was the nicest girl he’d ever met.

As Don and Ann began to start a family, Don was recalled back by the Air Force and flew 50 missions in Korea from 1950 – 1952. He rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and distinguished himself with his navigational skills. He had more than his share of harrowing missions. He was honorably discharged in December 1952, where he returned to California to raise his family in Piedmont. He was active with the Boy Scouts and was always there for any father/daughter events.

After taking over his father’s business he helped form the California Insurance Center in 1970. A leader in the Bay Area insurance business, Don served a term as the President of the Oakland Association of Insurance Agents.

Upon retiring in 1985, Don and Ann moved to Pleasant Hill California and lived near the fifth hole of the Contra Costa Country Club where he had been a member since 1962. Don had a life- long love for the game of golf. He grew up playing with his father at the Sequoia Country Club, where he was junior champion in 1941. At Stanford after the war he played on the Stanford golf team, which became NCAA champions in 1946. In his retirement Don was actively involved with the Northern California Golf Association and was a local captain of the course rating committee. As such, he was able to play and rate most of the courses in the Bay Area. An ideal job for a retired person, he often said.

Don said that one highlight of his life was when Ann took up golf and they became a twosome. This led to travels all over the United States, Canada and the British Isles to play some of the finest courses in the world. His favorite course was Pebble Beach, where he often told the story that he and his friend Neil would drive down and play it in the early 50’s for a six dollar green fee!

Don was the ultimate family man. He was generous to his family until the very end. He and Ann had a wonderful life together, lots of life-long friends, lots of family memories. He was the epitome of the greatest generation.

Donations can be made in his name to the Disabled Veterans of America, http://secure.dav.org/donate.