Rev. Irving Jones, who lived and pastored for over 25 years in the Derry, Londonderry and Manchester area, died on January the 10th at Ranchwood Nursing Center in Yukon, Oklahoma. He was 96.
After retiring to Florida in the early 1990s, Jones and his wife, Carol, relocated to Bethany, Oklahoma to live near her sister in 2004. Shortly after their arrival, Carol passed away and for the next 15 years, he remained there in the Southern Plaza Retirement Home.
Rev. Jones was of sound health until he suffered a series of falls over the last year. His daughter, Lauri, was present when he passed away, shortly after visits from other close family members, including his two sons, Lawrence and Stanley.
An avid reader, Rev. Jones collected books on a wide range of subjects including theology, American history, and the American Presidents. Irving was known to memorize poetry, passages from the Bible, and sermons. He had accumulated a large repertoire over his lifetime and in his mid-90s he continued to recite texts from memory to audiences with great passion.
Born August 30, 1919, Jones was one of six children born to Charles and Laura Jones. He graduated from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts with several of his siblings. There, he met his wife, Carol Maddox, who passed away shortly after moving to Oklahoma in 2004.
Soon after their marriage, Irving and Carol began a pastoral ministry in Leicester, Vermont. Rev. Jones served as a pastor in Burlington, Vermont and in Norwood, Massachusetts. He was enrolled in graduate studies at Emerson College, Boston University, and the B.U. School of Theology.
Following these years of study, Irving served in churches throughout New Hampshire: St. Luke’s Methodist in Derry, Londonderry United Methodist, and Suncook United Methodist. After Rev. Jones retired from the Methodist church, he continued to speak for seven years at the First Presbyterian Church in Manchester.
Rev. Jones’ travels led him to the Holy Land on numerous occasions, as well as to Japan, Korea, China, and Hong Kong. Jones journeyed to South America on a mission trip, visiting and holding services in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, and Panama.
In 1972, Rev. Jones traveled to Washington D.C., lobbying for funds for the construction of an 80-unit retirement home to serve the communities of Londonderry and Derry, New Hampshire. The non-profit, Nutfield Heights Senior Citizen Center, continues in use.
Rev. Irving Jones is succeeded by his three children, Lawrence (Chicago, Illinois), Stanley (Beaverton, Oregon), and Lauri [Pastrone], (Los Gatos, California) and grandchildren Tara, Emily, Philip, Brian, Alexander, Grace, Giovanna, and Nicolo.
Private graveside services were held in the Glenwood Cemetery, Londonderry. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium of Derry and Londonderry is assisting the family