Walter R. Jones

Walter R. Jones, 79, died Sunday, July 26, 2015 at North Atlanta Health & Rehab Center in Atlanta, GA, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was born July 18, 1936 in Conway, Arkansas to Walter R & Vera Jones. He came to Illinois from Arkansas and lived with his sister Edith. He purchased a filling station and met the love of his life while filling her gas tank.

Walter and Barbara were married in Albion, Illinois in 1960, then relocated to California for his job. In 1963, they had their first born son, Scott, and moved back to Illinois the following year. For a short time, Walter joined in the family business with Phillip Everett, until he found his long term career with National Oilwell. In 1966, their daughter Chrissy was born, and shortly after, the family moved to Logan, Ohio where they lived for 4 years. The Jones’s spent the majority of the kids “growing” years in Butler, Pennsylvania where Scott graduated high school before moving back to Illinois, where Chrissy graduated. They remained in Fairfield, Illinois where Walter retired from National Oilwell in 1998, and was diagnosed Alzheimer’s shortly after retiring. To be closer to their daughter, Walter and Barbara moved to Toledo, Ohio in 2006, where they lived for 7 years. As more care was needed, in 2010, Walter went to live in a home where they specialized in Alzheimer’s care. For the last three years, Walter and Barbara have been living in Atlanta, GA.

Walter had a love for cars and motorcycles. In his younger years, he enjoyed drag racing his ’57 Chevy and ’59 corvette. Keeping with his love of cars, he became a big NASCAR fan and followed Mark Martin throughout his career. While living in Pennsylvania, Walter became a die-hard Steeler’s fan, but never stopped rooting for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Walter also enjoyed golfing with his wife, and had a love for bird watching.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara Jean (Reeves) Jones; his son, W. Scott Jones (Valerie) of Atlanta, GA; his daughter, Chrissy Knapke of Cleveland, OH; Grandchildren: Nathan, Michael & Noah; his sisters, Edith Everett, Hazel Larch (Jake).

The funeral service will be Thursday, July 30th at 11:00am at H.M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home (Oglethorpe Hill) 4550 Peachtree Road, NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Walter’s name.