John Carl Jones

John Carl Jones was taken suddenly from his family and friends by a heart attack on Thursday, January 23rd. John, the son of Florence and Edwin Jones, was born in the small town of Halfway, Oregon on June 21st, 1940. After the war, in which Edwin served as a pilot, the family moved to Estes Park, Colorado, where they and Edwin’s brother owned and operated the Aspen Lodge. It was in the beauty of those mountains that John developed his love of outdoor adventure.

A few years later, the family moved to Portland, where Edwin started a job as a salesman for a large wholesale hardware company. The family became close friends with the family of a co-worker who had a nine-year-old daughter, Anita, who developed a crush on eleven-year-old John. The two families spent much time together, including holidays and vacations.

John started high school at Grant High, but his father was transferred to Medford, where John became a Medford High “Black Tornado.” John excelled in both track- and-field as a sprinter and javelin thrower and in football as a very fast running back. Another passion was art and he won several awards for his paintings. Throughout his youth, John was an active Boy Scout. He was proud of achieving his Eagle Scout and membership in the Order of the Arrow.

John was offered a scholarship to Pratt Art Institute, but his parents discouraged his pursuit of art as a career, so he enrolled at Lewis and Clark College. His return to Portland brought him frequently to the home of his long-time friends for a break from campus and to enjoy a home-cooked meal. Anita, that former nine-year-old who had a crush on John, was by then a high school junior and the two began dating. After two years, just as Anita was starting college at Lewis and Clark, John, for economic reasons, transferred to Southern Oregon College. John spent many hours on I-5, traveling from Ashland to visit Anita on campus in Portland.

John and Anita were married on November 25, 1961 and both transferred to Willamette University, where John started law school. After the first year, John decided that a career as an attorney wasn’t something he really wanted to do. Once again these scholastic nomads transferred schools, this time to the University of Oregon, where they became committed Duck fans, attending all the track meets and football games. John began taking graduate classes in the Education Department. He earned his Master’s Degree in 1965 and pursued his doctorate while Anita taught elementary school. During the time John was working toward his degree, both of their children were born, Scott in 1966 and Kristen in 1968. He earned his Doctor of Education Degree in 1970.

John had a varied career in both education and business. He first taught social studies at Jefferson Junior High School in Eugene. He was then hired by the College of Education at the U of O as a research assistant and intern supervisor. John soon became Director of Secondary Education for Jackson County Intermediate Education District. He then moved on to Portland as Coordinator of Adult and Professional Programs for the Oregon State System of Higher Education, followed by a promotion to Assistant Professor and Northwest Regional Manager.

At the request of the region’s electric and natural gas industries, John created and was president of a national non-profit educational organization called “Energy and Man’s Environment” (now the National Energy Foundation). The organization’s focus was to raise awareness of energy-related and environmental issues. They developed energy-related curriculum for the public schools and conducted nation-wide conferences and workshops.

John resigned his position with EME and moved his young family to Tacoma, Washinton, to accept a position as Associate Professor of Education and Director of Continuing Education for the University of Puget Sound. After three years, he returned to Portland to become Executive Director of the Northwest Gas Association, where he retired after 17 years. The NGA was a trade organization representing the business interests of natural gas pipelines and local distribution companies operating in Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. John coordinated federal and state legislation, wrote legislation and informational documents and conducted policy briefings, even testifying before Congress.

John was an outdoor enthusiast, whether it was sitting in a fishing boat on a quiet lake, climbing Mt. Hood, hiking or enjoying a snow camping adventure with family and friends from church. A favorite of his many backpacking adventures was with Anita, Scott and Kris to the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness meadow where they camped and picked wild huckleberries.

John was a life-long learner, attending seminars and reading everything from scientific articles to financial publications to fiction and poetry.

He also loved creative writing, something he did almost daily during his retirement. This included poetry (which Anita compiled into a book for their 50th anniversary), numerous esays and short stories, and occasionally an irate letter to the editor when outraged by a newpaper article.

John and Anita have been members of Christ United Methodist Church for 47 years and treasure those years and their church family. John was currently serving as chair of the Good Samaritans, a group caring for older or disabled members who are no longer able to attend church.

John’s greatest passion, however, was loving and serving his friends and family. He was a loyal friend and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all those he left behind, but we know he will be watching over us.

John was predeceased by his parents. His survivors include his brother Greg, his wife of 58 years, Anita, his son Scott (Deborah), daughter Kris Suzuki (Yas), grandchildren Nate Jones, Rachel Kendall (Brandt), Curtis Jones and Riley Suzuki, and great-grandchildren Caleb, Temp, Lily and about-to-be-born Sophie.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, at Christ United Methodist Church, 12755 N.W. Dogwood Street, Portland, 97229

Rememberances in John’s name may be made to Christ United Methodist Church or St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital.