Frank H. Jones went to be with our Lord on August 14, 2018 after battling Alzheimers. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 13, 1927 to Frank H. Jones, Sr., and Hanna Jones. Frank was an only child. He is survived by his 5 children: Janice L. Jones of Socorro, New Mexico, Robert C. Jones of Green Cove Springs, FL, Laura K. Jones-Fretland of Fort Collins, CO, James M. Jones of Tustin, CA and Jeffrey S. Jones of McKinney, TX . He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
As a young boy he loved playing baseball and going to Detroit Tiger games with his father. However, when Frank was 11 he contracted Spinal Meningitis. After a year of intense recovery, he learned to walk, relearned reading, writing and arithmetic. He continued pursuing baseball and football, graduating from Cass Tech High School.
At 17, Frank received permission from his parents to enlist in the U.S. Coast Guard. He served on the Destroyer Escort, USS Hurst, DE-250 . Frank’s enlistment was as a Seaman First Class and Gunners Mate assigned to a 3” 50 caliber gun. His ship operated in the south Pacific on special missions covering 70 islands.
After returning from the war, he was employed by General Motors as a time keeper and was encouraged to pursue classes at Walsh University, which he did in Business and Accounting. He was quickly promoted through the ranks at General Motors. Once established at General Motors, he married his high school sweetheart, Norma Jane Routon on October 18, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan.
Realizing he had a love of railroading as did his father and grandfather, he left General Motors to pursue a career in railroading at the New York Central. He began his career as a third generation brakeman and conductor. He also worked as a trainmaster and superintendent for the Penn Central and Conrail. Throughout the years he worked in Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and New York City. After getting away from the hustle and bustle of the east coast and Midwestern cities, they found a great love for Colorado when he become President of the Colorado and Wyoming Railroad. In 1980, he was appointed CEO of the Alaskan Railroad by President Jimmy Carter and then endorsed by President Reagan. While Frank was in Alaska, he was the catalyst for successful export of Alaskan coal to South Korea and was presented the Gold Medallion by the President of the Korean Republic. This treaty between South Korea and the State of Alaska was endorsed by President Ronald Reagan and Frank was presented with pair of gold cufflinks by President Reagan at a private dinner meeting. Finally, Frank was selected to become Special Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation, Elizabeth Dole.
Frank retired in 1989. He was an avid golfer, loved to play tennis, loved to travel with his beloved wife of 64 years and loved to garden. He served as a Honor Guard with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars of Fort Collins for many years and found fulfillment in his service with them. One of his most cherished roles was that of patriarch of his beloved family. Frank enjoyed family gatherings and being a mentor to everyone in his family. Frank was a devout Christian, loved his Lord and enjoyed sharing his favorite book, “The Greatest Thing in the World” by Henry Drummond with the entire family.
Frank’s memorial service will be held on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 11:00 am at Timberline Church, 2908 S. Timberline Road, Fort Collins, CO. A military burial service will be conducted at Loveland Burial Park, 1702 Cleveland Ave., Loveland, CO following the service. Reception at Timberline Church to follow the military burial.
