Clarence Hoover Jones

Captain Clarence H. (Chuck) Jones, USMC, Retired, 94, of Irmo, SC passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024 at his home. Chuck was born to Junior Floyd Jones and Leona Hiers Jones (Crosby) in Smoaks, SC. He received his GED while serving in the Marine Corps, and while working as an instructor, earned the equivalent of a Masters Degree.

Captain Jones served honorably during his 26-year career in the Marines, receiving many commendations and medals, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with “V” (combat valor). He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. His USMC service included: Honor Guard on USS Missouri, Drill Instructor (Parris Island, SC), Infantryman (Korea), Recruiter, and Instructor in the Engineering Schools. Before retiring in 1972, having been stationed primarily at Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC and Marine Corp Air Station, El Toro, Irvine, CA, he moved his family to Columbia and began his civilian teaching career by establishing the first Junior ROTC program at Eau Claire High School. As a Vocational Instructor, he taught at Columbia, Lexington, and Spring Valley High Schools, along with Sumter and Midlands Tech, retiring early to care for his wife Ruth in 1990.

Chuck spent his childhood between Smoaks, Walterboro, and, later, downtown Charleston. As a teenager he could be found on King Street, first selling newspapers in front of the Francis Marion Hotel, as a soda jerk at Sweatmann’s Drugstore, and later as a manager at the Victory and American Theaters. He then answered a call to military service, enlisting in 1946 at the young age of sixteen (16) with his mother’s signature.

He found direction in life from three places: his service in the Marines, his lifelong love and commitment to his wife Ruth, and his transformational relationship with God. He was a member of Palmetto Church of Christ.

He is survived by his children, Steve Jones, of Lugoff, Debbie Gurley (Chris) of Columbia, Gary Jones (Juli) of Blythewood, and Deidre Cousins (Billy) of Columbia. Grandchildren are Kelly Carr (Brent), Steven Jones (Caroline), Anna Britt (Chip), Clint Jones (Wyatt), Cara Jones, Sam Jones (Michelle), Will Cousins (Katelyn), Ben Cousins (Maia), and eleven great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by the love of his life of 46 years Ruth Nipper Jones, and his beloved second wife of 8 years, Barbara Snyder Jones.

Services for Chuck Jones will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel in Irmo. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 2:00 p.m. Following services, a graveside burial with full military honors will be held at Woodridge Memorial Park and Funeral Home located at 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Palmetto Church of Christ. These contributions will be used to build a house in Honduras in honor of Chuck Jones. Donations can be sent to: Palmetto Church of Christ, 7000 Nursery Rd., Columbia, SC, 29212. Please note on your donation: "In memory of Chuck Jones - Honduras Project."