Carleton Edward Jones, III, 65, died October 19, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Born on January 21, 1953 in Wheeling, West Virginia, Carleton was raised by Betty Mae Thomas Jones and Carleton Edward Jones, Jr. in Troy, Ohio. Carleton, known as CJ to friends and family, graduated from Troy High School in 1971 and maintained close ties to Troy throughout his life. His entire persona would always light up when showing his daughters the places in Troy that were meaningful to him when they visited. Carleton attended The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, graduating with a BA in Russian History in 1979.
Carleton had a successful career in the pharmaceutical wholesale industry, working his way up from sales rep to vice president. After retiring from AmerisourceBergen due to health problems, he completed The University of North Florida’s Paralegal Program and volunteered many hours as a paralegal at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. He was awarded the 2012 Pro Bono Award from Jacksonville Area Legal Aid for his dedication and commitment to improving the lives of the poor and creating access to justice. Carleton also volunteered at the Jacksonville Public Library and as a mentor with Take Stock in Children. In addition to being an avid reader, Carleton enjoyed photography and was a former member of the Jacksonville Camera Club. One of his favorite pastimes was watching college football games, especially the Ohio State Buckeyes. He became increasingly interested in criminal justice reform. He spent a lot of time in recent years researching inconsistencies and injustices in the legal system and what he could do to improve the system, with a focus on bail and sentencing.
While in Columbus, he met Marilyn Shipsky Jones, to whom he was married for 35 years and remained friends. Together they raised daughters, Meredith Jones, 37, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Natalie Jones, 34, of Jacksonville, Florida. Marilyn, Meredith, and Natalie were all by his side during his final moments. He is also survived by sisters, Carol Jones (Terry) Minnich of Covington, Ohio, and Rosalind Jones (Mark) Yantis, of Troy, Ohio; niece, Emily Yantis-Houser of Fairborn, Ohio, and nephew, Alexander Yantis of Groton, Connecticut. He is preceded in death by both of his parents.
He endured many years of chronic pain and his family takes peace in knowing that he is no longer suffering. In lieu of flowers and in recognition of Carleton’s generosity, the family requests donations in Carleton’s name to The Salvation Army or Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.
“How wonderful to be alive, he thought. But why does it always hurt?” -Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago
In addition to the memorial in Jacksonville, there will also be a Memorial Open House at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center, 301 W. Main St, Troy, OH 45373 on Saturday, November 3, 2018 from 1-3 pm.
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