Virgil Allen Jones Jr.'s Obituary
Virgil Allen Jones Jr. quietly left this earth on July 16, 2014 at Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington. He was 82 years old.
Virgil was born in the town of Dalton, Georgia on May 30, 1932. He was the first child and son, of Velma and Virgil Allen Jones, Sr.
Virgil graduated from the local high school and attended Morehouse University in Atlanta, Georgia.
He joined the United States Army as a young man and made it his career. He attended Helicopter School, Provost Marshall School becoming a military policeman (MP) and he was also a member of the first official class of the Sergeant Major Academy in Fort Bliss Texas.
During his tenure Virgil saw combat in Korea where he was awarded the Korean Service Medal. He served three tours of duty during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Vietnam Service Medal.
Virgil met the love of his life while serving in Panama, Mavis Beatrice Clarke. They were married for 33 beautiful years. During his military career, Virgil, Mavis and their children travelled the world, living in Germany, Texas, Washington, Panama, Texas (again), New York then back to Washington. Virgil retired from the military in 1977 boasting a 27+ year career. He settled his family in Lakewood, Washington where he was a resident for 37 years. Virgil liked to keep busy and took on a second career becoming a US Customs Inspector in 1980. In the early 1990’s his wife, Mavis became ill and he retired from his Customs Inspector position to care for her.
Virgil loved all sports especially football. He was a huge fan of the Seattle Seahawks and was elated when his Hawks won the Super Bowl earlier this year. He was also a fan of the University of Washington Huskies, Seattle Mariners and the Tacoma Tigers/Rainiers He often attended the games of these local teams.
Like many Non Commissioned Officers with an “A” type personality, Virgil was an opinionated and determined man. He was known to claim he lived by the words of his favorite poem, written by Robert Ernest Henley, INVICTUS: “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” His legendary love of the color blue, as well as his love for well-manicured lawns and trimming (but really cutting down) trees is well known by his family and friends. His children can attest he was a strict disciplinarian but he also had a soft side and he loved to sing to babies in his bass voice usually causing the baby to stop crying and coo with him.
Virgil was the son of a deacon and grew with the religious beliefs of the church. During his final days Virgil returned to the roots of his faith and declared his renewed belief in and love for God and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Virgil is survived by his mother, Velma Agnes Jones, and his sister Kathryn McDade (Henry) of Dalton, Georgia; daughters Carol Levy of Tacoma, Washington; Crystal Watters of Los Angeles, California; Sarah Ortiz (Wilfredo) of Lakewood, Washington; Velma Jones-White (Eric) of Seattle, Washington; son Virgil Allen Jones, III (Danielle) of Des Moines, Washington; 11 grandchildren, Marshall Clarke, Kenneth Clarke, David Levy, Preston (PJ) Watters, Tessa Milano-Burr, Wilfredo R. Ortiz, Cynthia Vermette, Nicholle Ortiz, Samuel White, Luci Mae Jones and Nate Jones; 3 great grandchildren Marlon Schultz, Laylay Clarke and Riley Vermette; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
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