LEWIS JONES

Mr. Jones was born August 22, 1924, in Sheffield, Pa., the son of the late Lewis and Pansy Gregg Jones. He graduated from Sheffield High School in 1942, just in time for World War II, when he enlisted in the US Navy and served aboard several amphibious assault ships completing his tour as a Boatswains mate 2/C on a landing craft on December 26, 1945.

While serving on the USS Freemont, Bud was acknowledged for excellent service in the line of duty in an attack transport from June 1944 to February 1945 during the amphibious assaults on Saipan, Angaur, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf and Iwo Jima, demonstrating outstanding seamanship and courage in the face of enemy fire. He carried combat troops and vital supplies to hostile beaches, and then efficiently transported casualties from the beach to hospital ships. On one occasion at Leyte, when attacked by enemy aircraft, he maneuvered his boat into a position to return the fire and was responsible for shooting down an enemy plane. His conduct gave evidence of his great value to the naval service. Bud received many commendations including the Purple Heart.

He married Bonny Johnson in Warren, Pa. on August 27, 1949 at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church. He went to work for the Bell Telephone of PA Company in 1948 and retired in management after 36 years of service. Many happy winters were spent in Ft. Myers Beach, Fla., where they both attended Chapel by the Sea. Bud and Bonny would have been married 63 years in August.

Bud loved the outdoors and especially the North Main woods. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. He also enjoyed handcrafting fishing rods and tying flies. Bud and Bonny were one of the first couples to enjoy cross country skiing in the Warren area. He was a member of the NRA, a lifetime member of Joseph Warren Lodge #126 Free and Accepted Masons, past president of the Warren Field & Stream, Kalbfus Rod and Gun Club and Warren County Council of Sportsmen. Bud was a World War II buff, and maintained an elaborate collection of World War II books and memorabilia, and also enjoyed attending many Navy USS Fremont ship reunions. Bud, for many years enjoyed coffee with the Bell boys.

In addition to his wife, Bud is survived by his daughters, Stacy Jones, who was his caregiver at home, and Kristen Potthoff, and husband, Dan; three grandchildren Jerad, Jordan and Jillian and one greatgrandson, Lewis Potthoff; one brother, Myles Jones, Kane, Pa., two sisters, Jean Bowley, and husband, Herbert, Barnes, Pa. and Patricia Ramsvig, Mich.; along with several nieces and nephews. Bud was a kind and good man who will be greatly missed by his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter in 1950, and his son, Gilbert Jones in 1992.

Friends will be received at the Peterson Blick Funeral Home, Inc., 1003 Penn Ave., E., Warren, on Friday, February 1, 2013 for one hour prior to a funeral service to be held there at 1:00 p.m. with The Rev. Ellie JohnsKelley, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Warren, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church, or the Rouse Memorial Fund.