Gerald Alun Jones

The man, the myth, the legend known as Jerry, Jer, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Jerry, Jer Bear passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 in Stafford, VA.

Born Gerald Alun Jones on March 19, 1958 in Garfield Heights, Ohio. He grew up with his parents, Vivian and Alun, and two brothers, Dale and David in Cleveland. At 16 the family moved down to Macedonia where he met his future life partner, Denise (also 16) at Nordonia High School. Following their high school graduation in 1976, Jerry enlisted in the Marine Corps and was off to boot camp that summer. He was shuttled off to Camp Geiger following boot camp, but he and his high school sweetheart (Denise) found time to get married before he did a 1-year deployment (unaccompanied) in Okinawa, Japan. Upon his return to the US, the family, as by this time their first son Derek was born, moved to Parris Island where Jerry was a drill instructor with D Company 2nd Battalion. While stationed at Parris Island, the second child/first daughter, Jessica was born in Beaufort (not Charleston as she may tell you). In 1981, Jerry and family PCS’d to Quantico to train officer candidates at Camp Upshur. From Quantico, Jerry went to MSG school and then the family PCS’d to Dublin, Ireland where Jerry served as Detachment Commander and it was here that Denise received her 2 Purple Hearts giving birth to their third child, Richard the breach baby. In 1985, the family returned to the US to work at the Pentagon where he was selected for Warrant Officer and welcomed the birth of his favorite niece, Jackie. On selection for Warrant Officer, Jerry was sent to TBS (just kidding, Warrant Officer Basic Course) at Quantico then on to NBC School at Ft. McClellan in Aniston, AL. In 1986, the family PCS’d to Camp Lejune, NC where Jerry served with the 1/2 (1st Battalion 2nd Marines). This is also where their fourth child (a gift REALLY), Lindsey was born in 1989. While in Camp Lejune, Jerry had 5 deployments, the last one being Desert Storm. Then it was back to Aniston, AL for Advanced Chemical School. In 1992, the family PCS’d to Camp Pendleton, California to deploy with the 1/9. The family spent 3 years enjoying the California sun, beaches, fires, earthquakes, bobcats, fires, mice, snakes, and scorpions (seriously ask Denise and Dawn for stories). In 1996, Jerry had his twilight tour of Quantico for MAGTAF Staff Training Program (MSTP) until he retired in 2000.

Following retirement from the Marine Corps, Jerry continued to serve his country for many more years, first as a contractor with Georgia Tech then MKI, and finishing up with a stint as a government civilian where he retired as the Chief of Staff for the JPM Protection in 2024.

Jerry had quite the journey, but his favorite times included the births of his kids (Derek, Jessica, Richard, and Lindsey), grandkids (Grant, Cole, Lily, Maverick, Amelia and bonus grandkids Hendrix and Dylan), great grandkids (Theo, Daemon, and Lydia), favorite niece (Jackie) and his other nieces and nephews (Michael, Jay, another Michael, Amanda, and many others), the marriages of his children (Derek & Amy, Jessica & Morgan, Richard & Rose), his grandson, Grant’s, graduation from high school and Marine Corps boot camp, teaching the younger generation how to work on cars and drive a manual vehicle (he had more patience than the other adults in the family, though Lindsey’s patience didn’t make it through the lesson), helping his favorite niece, Jackie, fix her shower and install a new bathroom vanity, watching the best horror movies like “Attack of the Killer Donuts”, being able to show Ireland to extended family following Richard and Rose’s wedding, trying out new recipes, eating desserts, fishing with his grandkids, and so many more.

Predeceased by his father: Alun Jones and two brothers, Dale and David Jones.

Survived by his mother, Vivian Pritchett; his loving wife of 47 years Denise Jones; four children, Derek Jones (Amy), Jessica Shelton (Morgan), Richard Jones (Rose) and Lindsey Jones; seven grandchildren, Hendrix Rendon, Dylan Rendon (Malia), Grant Whitley, Cole Shelton, Lily Jones, Maverick Jones and Amelia Jones; three great grandchildren, Daemon Richter, Theo Rendon and Lydia Rendon; sister in law, Dawn Grosser (Mike); special nieces and nephews, Michael, Jackie, and Jay Grosser; and Michael and Amanda Jones; and many more nieces, nephews, and extended family.

The family will receive friends at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, 186 Shelton Shop Road, Stafford, VA 22554 on Sunday, September 1, 2024 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM with a prayer service at 3:00 PM and a reception to follow. Inurnment will be private at Quantico National Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, (Mission MSA), 1660 International Drive, Suite 600, McLean, VA 22102 or https://missionmsa.org in loving memory of Gerald A. Jones.

Written By, Jackie Grosser (the favorite niece)