John Ellis Jones' Obituary
John Ellis Jones (Poppy Jones) went home to be with the Lord on September 19, 2017. John was born November 23, 1940 in Portageville, Missouri to Lexie Jones and Nancy Wilson.
John accepted Jesus as his personal savior as a young man. Although he was not much of a church going man, his faith and belief in God remained strong.
John grew up as a military brat attending school in many places including Rochefort, France where he traveled as the captain of the Rochefort Soccer team. John later joined the Army and then the Air Force, serving a total of 22 years: attaining the rank of Master Sergeant and serving as the First Sgt. of 8th Air Force in Barksdale, Louisiana.
On November 4, 1962 John met Marsha Ann Weitzsacker while on temporary duty in Miami, Florida. When he learned that he was to be transferred back to his permanent duty station he knew he had to act fast, so he called Marsha on the phone and asked her to marry him. They knew each other only 25 days when they married on November 29, 1962. Their whirlwind courtship turned into almost 55 years of marriage.
After his retirement from the Air Force, John attended school and enjoyed a career in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
His favorite past-times were fishing and hunting and traveling across the U.S. with his wife.
John was well known for the vegetable gardens that he planted each year and the 4 to 5 foot tomato plants that he was so proud of. Of course he always left the job of canning all of those vegetables to his wife. In his last years he passed on his gardening secrets to his daughter.
John leaves behind a daughter Johanna Thompson (Derrick), two grandchildren that he took great pride in: Herman Harp (fiancée Windy Huynh) and Darice Thompson of Lakewood, Washington. His sister Jeanette Johnson, brother and sister in law Robert and Carolyn Weitzsacker of Missouri, as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins
John was greeted in Heaven by many family members that went before him, including: his wife Marsha Jones, his parents Lexie and Nancy (Wilson) Jones, his brother Lexie Jr. and his sister Beckie.
John had many friends but two in particular had a great impact on his life. His son-in-law Derrick Thompson, who stood with him through the good and the bad and taught him that friendship comes in many colors and love conquers all. Also, James McCullough, fellow veteran, roommate and co-trouble maker, who created a bond with John that even death cannot break.
John lived the last months of his life as a resident of the American Lake V.A. Community Living Center, where he was known to ride the halls on his red scooter, addressing the nurses with “Hello Darlin” and asking staff “Is there anything I can do for you”.
The family would like to thank the staff of the CLC for loving John ad helping him live his last months with love, pride and dignity.
The family requests that if anyone wishes to honor John’s memory that you do so by making a donation to your local V.A. Community Living Center or Soldiers Home.
Do not cry for John as the keys to his red scooter are no longer needed. He was able to stand on his own and walk through the gates of Heaven to be with the Lord and his loving wife and family.
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