Jewell Toney, of Huntsville, Alabama, died at home on Sunday, March 24, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 86 years old. He is survived by Peggy Joyce Toney, his wife and best friend of 63 years, by his three sons, Robert Arlon and his wife Alison, Raymond Jewell and his wife Rina, and Michael Dennis, by his four grandchildren, Elizabeth Pierce and her husband Caleb, Juliana Wright and her husband Zachary, Charlotte Jo and Simon Glenn Toney, and three great-grandchildren, William Donovan and Robert Jerry Pierce, and Mae Adelaide Wright.
Mr. Toney was born in Bogalusa, Louisiana. After graduation from Bogalusa High School he served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. He performed over 50 combat missions as a B-26 gunner with the 13th Bomb Squadron during the Korean War and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service during combat. While in the Air Force he also performed numerous missions of a classified nature. To the end of his life he remembered with respect and affection those he served with but who did not survive.
After completing his Air Force service Mr. Toney earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in electrical engineering from Louisiana Tech University. He worked as an engineer for Chrysler Corporation for more than 30 years. After his retirement from Chrysler, Mr. Toney successfully managed and developed two defense related businesses in Huntsville.
Mr. Toney greatly enjoyed his many years of coaching youth baseball and basketball in Huntsville. He and Peggy traveled extensively nationally and internationally for work and for pleasure. Mr. Toney was a generous man who assisted many people, known and unknown. He found great satisfaction in providing for his employees and was always concerned for their welfare. Mr. Toney, a Mason, was a member of Helion Lodge #1 in Huntsville.
Mr. Toney died with dignity and grace, accompanied to the end by his devoted wife and friend Peggy.
The family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.
