Marion Stan Stanford Jones

Captain Marion Stanford (Stan) Jones died June 8, 2015 at the age of 91. He was born in Idabel OK in 1923 to John Wesley and Maudie (Stanford) Jones. He is survived by his wife of four years, Patricia (Bruesch) Jones of Lexington OK, his step-daughter Sheryl Shobert and husband Wayne of Noble OK, his step-daughter Charlotte Sewall and husband Brian of Wewoka OK, his daughter Sandy (Jones) Whitsitt and husband Dick, and his son Randy Jones, all of Norman OK. He had three grandchildren, Chris Whitsitt and wife Courtney of Mt. Prospect IL, Dr. Adam Whitsitt and wife Christine of Tulsa OK, and Dawn (Jones) Groskranz of Denver CO, three great grandchildren, Emmett, Cecilia and Sawyer Whitsitt. He is also survived by his brother Thad Jones and wife Colleen of Perryton TX, brother Billy John Jones of Eufaula OK, sister Dianna (Jones) Poplaski of Tyler TX, brother-in-law Bill Lambert and wife Shirley of Idabel OK, sister-in-law Gerry (Reece) Dillard of Little Rock AR, sister-in-law Lillian (Deal) Reece of Norman OK and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 46 years, Dell (Reece) Jones, sister Lena Dale( Jones) Cain, and sister Joanna (Jones) Comee.

He grew up and attended high school in Idabel OK. He joined the Navy in 1942, and after completing flight school in Norman, became a Naval Aviator flying missions off the aircraft carrier USS Boxer in WWII. After the war he received his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern State College at Durant. He was recalled into active duty in 1951 during the Korean Conflict and again flew missions off of the USS Boxer. He served 28 years in the Navy rising to the rank of Captain. Medals he received included the Air Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Navy Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, China Service Medal and Korean Service Medal. He retired in 1970 and made his home in Norman.

Stan was a 33rd Degree Mason and active member for many years in the Norman Masonic Lodge #38. He served as Worshipful Master in 1992 and served as Chairman of the Audit Committee and Student of Today Awards; he was Chaplain of the Funeral Committee and on the Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Grand Lodge and Scottish Rite in Guthrie, serving as District Deputy Grand Master for many years. He was a member of the York Rite of Tulsa, the Knights Commander Court of Honor, the India Temple Shrine, Norman Boomer Patrol, and past president of the National Sojourners Tinker Chapter #43. He was past commander of the Heroes of ’76, Nathaniel Greene Encampment.

Throughout his thirty plus years with the Masonic organizations, he received numerous medals, awards and commendations. These included the Oklahoma Masonic Medal of Honor from Grand Lodge, the Houghton Award and Memphis Cup from National Sojourners. Stan was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge #1799, and the Moose Legion.