Robert Jones

JULY 25, 1924 - APRIL 26, 2013

Robert Howard Jones (Bob), retired from many years of Christian service with The Billy Graham Association and World Vision, died Friday, April 26, 2013, resulting from congestive heart failure at the age of 88.

Born July 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, Bob graduated from Commerce High School where he demonstrated early signs of great leadership, as he was head of the Yell Squad and student body president. He joined the Navy in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1946 as an Electrician's Mate First Class.

It was during his time in the Navy when he met his first wife, Eloise. After many years of corresponding and falling in love, Bob and Eloise married in 1947. They were blessed with 46 years of marriage before God called Eloise home to Heaven in 1993.

Bob graduated with a B.A. in Sales and Marketing from San Francisco State College in 1950 and went to work for the Carnation Company in 1951. He held several positions with the company in San Francisco, Fresno, and Los Angeles. In 1961 Bob was promoted to District Manager where he held that position in Portland, Oregon until 1968. He was one of the founding members of Milwaukee Covenant Church in 1964 and was involved in several community organizations such as Kiwanis and Portland Youth for Christ.

As a result of volunteering for the 1968 Billy Graham Crusade in Portland, Oregon, Bob felt a calling to full time Christian service. For the next five years, he served on the Crusade Advance Team for Billy Graham. After Bob's time with Billy Graham, he joined World Vision International, a Christian humanitarian organization. Traveling extensively throughout third world countries and developing nations, he witnessed not only the physical needs of people, but their spiritual needs, as well.

During Bob's "retirement," he was involved with local church administration. Over the years, many people sought out his godly wisdom and were uplifted by his words of encouragement. Bob was truly a man of God, demonstrating trustworthiness, love, honesty, compassion, and faithfulness. He was our prayer warrior.

Through Bob's first marriage to Eloise, he is survived by son Craig (daughter-in-law Jeannie) and his three sons, Bob, Philip, and Kenny, and daughter Lynn (son-in-law John) and their two daughters, Kali and Kristin.

We want to thank all those who have had a part of our Dad and our Grandfather’s life.

Craig Jones & Family

Lynn Bonife & Family

My dear husband, Bob, and I did not have the privilege of meeting until 1995, after his wife of 47 years and my husband of 43 years had each gone home to Jesus.

When my friend, Bev, introduced Bob and I, my first thought was what a polished and friendly gentleman, who obviously loved the Lord. His love of Jesus was of the greatest importance to me.

God’s personal love was expressed to me when this godly man let me know he loved me. He told me that words had meaning and so when he said he loved me, it meant he would always love me. We were married April 14, 1996 and celebrated our 17th anniversary this spring. Throughout our marriage, he would say I love you to me at least once a day. We had a secret ritual in public of hand squeezing, with 3 squeezes meaning, “I love you” and 4 squeezes meaning “I love you too.” We also enjoyed letting our eyes say, “I love you” to each other.

Through the years, he extended that love to our children and their spouses, our 24 grandchildren and our 24 great grandchildren. He loved and accepted my family as his own and became a dearly beloved “Grandpa Bob.” He put the little ones on his lap and read to them. With Sarah Walker on his lap, he would start a make-believe story, usually about a horse, and she would continue it, he would continue, etc. Then they would both just laugh. He liked to take each grandchild, as they grew older, out to lunch and have a good discussion with them. When David Reinhart would come visit, because Bob didn’t know sign language, he would write a question, David would answer, then David would write a question and Bob would answer. With patience, they both worked to have a sweet relationship.

Bob was a man of integrity and honesty, a man whom you could trust what he said. He was very organized and punctual. If I misplaced something, he could always find it for me. He said that he had never been late, until he met me.  He was impeccable in his dress, with his clothes always coordinated and his shoes always shined until you could see your face in them. His closet and toiletries were carefully in order.

Bob was loyal to all of his friends. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing our home, garden and view with them. He loved having them in our home for a meal and fellowship. Best of all, he enjoyed the dear friends who came to our home for Bible Study. He was an excellent Bible Study leader. As one of his friends said, “He was like a spiritual father to me, a role model.” And another affirmed, “He was a great encourager.”

Bob was my favorite prayer warrior. He taught me so much about prayer as he worshiped our living God. We felt that it was such a privilege when our family and friends would ask us to pray for them. The children knew we daily set aside 9am to pray. We would have our prayer together and then if the need were really great we would pray all day and night. I learned the faithfulness of God through prayer in a deeper way from Bob. What a privilege from God to have Bob as my prayer partner.

Bob, as a godly husband, was my strong protector in every way. Even when he knew he might not have much time here, he made provisions for me to be taken care of after he went home to His Lord.

As Jesus said, above all – “Rejoice that your name is written in heaven.” When Jesus greeted Bob Friday night; with his arms enfolding Bob, in my heart I heard our Savior say, “Well done, Thou good and faithful servant.”

Shirley Walker Jones and Family

A NOTE FROM THE PAST..........

INTRODUCING ......WORLD VISION EXECUTIVE STAFF

Mr. Jones is a layman who came to World Vision in early 1974 from a background in business and evangelism. Until January 1979 he served as Associate Director of World Vision's Pacific.North area office in Portland, Oregon.

Graduating from San Francisco State College in 1950 with a BA degree in business, he entered the field of selling and merchandising with the J.C. Penney Company. He then went to work for the Carnation Company and for 17 years served in many areas of management. During this time he was actively involved with Toastmasters International, Jaycees, Kiwanis, American Marketing Association, Sales ans Marketing Executives, and Grocery sales Managers Clubs. He also was sales adviser to Junior Achievement.

In 1968 Mr. Jones was led of the Lord to leave the world of business. Shortly thereafter, he was invited to join the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to work in the areas of crusade preparation for a number of Mr. Graham's crusades throughout the United States. During that time he taught thousands in counselor training sessions. Another important phase of his work was the training of leaders for Bible discussion groups.

Having traveled throughout Korea, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and other nations, he has personally surveyed World Vision supported projects and mission works. In early 1978 Mr. Jones assisted the Thailand Church Growth Committee in their preparations for evangelistic crusades that began a year long celebration of the 150 years of Christianity in the Royal Kingdom.

Bob lives in River Vale, New Jersey with his wife Eloise. Their Married son Craig and daughter Lynn bot reside in Milwaukee, Oregon