George H Jones

George Herbert Jones, Jr. was born on March 7, 1922, to George and Mary Jones in Baton Rouge, LA. He graduated from Baton Rouge High School at age 16 and then graduated from LSU with a chemical engineering degree in 1942. He was then commissioned through LSU ROTC as an officer in the US Army. He spent 3 years on active duty serving during WWII stateside and in the European Theater. During that time, he was assigned to the 16th Field Artillery Observation Battalion as a Flash Platoon Leader and Battalion Survey Officer. He took part in the Brittany Campaign, Eiffel Mountains Campaign, and the Battle of the Bulge. He subsequently served as a Battery Commander for the 523 Forward Operation Base.

George’s military awards included the European Theater of Operations Service Ribbon with three battle stars, American Campaign Ribbon, and Victory Ribbon. After 3 years of active duty, George served 5 years in the Army Reserves. He resigned in 1953 with the rank of Captain.

While stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, George met the love of his life Klileen Leister. They married on June 16, 1946, and lived their lives together in Baton Rouge. At the time of his death, they had just celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary.

Upon returning to Baton Rouge after WWII, George was a consulting engineer for the City of Baton Rouge and installed the Civil Service System for East Baton Rouge Parrish. He also worked for the largest sugar mill in Louisiana.

Geroge then attended LSU Medical School and graduated in 1953. He completed a residency in Ophthalmology at Tulane University in 1957 and was a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist throughout his 37-year career in Baton Rouge. During his residency, he trained at the renowned Oschner Clinic in New Orleans. In addition to his private ophthalmology practice, George was also a Clinical Assistant Professor at both LSU and Tulane Medical Schools. George was a renowned author, lecturer, and authority on contact lenses.

George was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge for more than 75 years. He was active in teaching Sunday school classes, sang in the choir, and served on the board.

George was also an active state and community leader. He served as an officer or board member of the Baton Rouge Symphony and Baton Rouge Little Theater and Community Concert. He was also President of the La-Miss Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Society, President of the Louisiana Ophthalmology Society, and Chairman of the Public Policy and Legislation Committee for the Louisiana State Medical Society.

As an alum of LSU, George was a big supporter of the school. He served as a track and field official for several years, was a member of the LSU Foundations 1986 Society, served on the College of Basic Sciences Advisory Committee, the LSU Unition Board of Directors, and he and Klileen were donors to the LSU School of Music and its opera program.

One of George’s greatest passions was Sigma Chi Fraternity. He joined Sigma Chi in 1942. After graduation, he helped found the Baton Rouge Alumni Chapter in 1947. Since then, he was elected to the Order of the Constantine in 1969, was a Significant Sig, and served on the LSU Chapter’s House Corporation for 20 years. From 1979 to 1981, he served as Grand Pro Consul and then served as the Fraternity’s 51st Grand Consul from 1981-1983. Later, he was awarded the honor of a Significant Sig. He was also the Vice President of the National Interfraternity Council.

George had several other interests including his membership in the Cadets of Ole War Skule, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and a 63-year member and master of the St. James Masonic Lodge of Baton Rouge. He also co-founded the American Biotechnical Corporation.

George is survived by his wife Klileen Leister Jones, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a cousin Susan Schultz and her husband Steve of Okolona, Mississippi.

A Memorial Service celebrating George’s life will be held on September 15, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge, followed by a reception at St. James Place. Donations in George’s honor can be made to the LSU School of Music.