Warren Candler Jones

It is with great sadness that the family of Warren Candler Jones announce his unexpected passing on September 15, 2023. Warren was a devoted husband and father, avid tennis player, and enthusiastic lover of nature.

Originally from Mississippi, Warren earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of North Carolina, from which he launched a long career in scientific research. Warren worked more than 30 years at the National Institute of Health where he pursued the advancement of enzyme science and knowledge, occasionally advising Congress on health and science matters. He continued to advocate for basic science in his retirement. An enthusiastic athlete, Warren was the organizer of a group of local area tennis players. He was part of a walking club and had recently completed hiking the 185-mile length of the C&O Canal with friends.

Warren was never out of reach of his binoculars and could be seen peering through them at the eruptive snowy owl at Union Station, the barnacle goose at National Airport, the painted bunting on the canal near Great Falls and all the backyard birds he fed and cared for. He went on annual trips to see birds and had an enviable life list. His love for travel took him all over the world, from the Galapagos Islands to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, England, Europe, Costa Rica, Belize, the Caribbean, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and more.

His other love included writing, especially the short story form. He enthusiastically attended writing workshops, cherished the author connections he made there, and had stories published in journals including the North American Review.

The family thanks the care team at George Washington University Hospital for their skill, wisdom and hard work in trying to save him. Their care was exemplary and the best example of humane medicine. He will be dearly missed by his many friends and family members.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Jones, his daughters, Courtney Wilson (Peter Wilson) and Catherine Honore Jones (Philippe Honore Jones); his grandchildren, Jonas Wilson, Paige Wilson, Solan Honore Jones and Cecilia Honore Jones; and brothers Frank Jones and Mark Jones.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, September 20, at 1:00pm at Gawler’s Sons Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made honoring Warren’s love of science, nature, and peace to The Nature Conservancy or Doctors Without Borders.