Gerald Kenneth Jones, 88, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024 at CareOne in Millbury. He was the son of the late Kenneth S. and Elizabeth Jones. He was predeceased by Rachel L. Jones, his wife of 62 years.
Born in Worcester and raised in Shrewsbury, Jerry graduated from Worcester Academy and Colby College, where he was on the golf team. After graduation, he married his college sweetheart, Rachel, moved to Boylston and started a family. He proudly served in the Army National Guard for four years. Jerry was involved in numerous organizations including the Exchange Club. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Boylston, where he was a former Deacon, sang in the choir, and led multiple projects to accommodate its growth and sustain its mission.
Jerry loved to attend his son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, coached Little League, and most recently enjoyed watching his grandson, Ryan, play football.
He served as the President of Ken Jones, Inc, a family business his father, Kenneth, founded in 1938. Jerry instilled a strong work ethic in his three sons, who all joined the business and worked alongside him until its sale in 2020. Even a fourth generation worked part time at the company in the summertime, He never forgot the day his granddaughter showed up to work wearing flip flops.
Jerry’s passion was golf. He won many accolades including Club Championships, as a member of Worcester Country Club and Bear Lakes Country Club in Florida. Many, though certainly not all, of his lifelong friends were made on the golf course.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, vacationing on the Cape and in Florida, but mostly spending time with his family.
Jerry is survived by his sons: Stephen G. Jones and his wife Ann (Ouellette) and their children, Bethany and Christopher of Shrewsbury, Brian L. Jones and his wife Kristine (Slattery) and their children, Justin and Haley of Holden and Darren K. Jones and his wife Kathleen (Early) and their son Ryan, of Holden. He is also survived by his close companion, Carolyn Cass of Boylston.
His family and friends will miss his bright smile, sense of humor, engaging personality, and his never-ending curiosity of people and the world around him.
The family extends a special thanks to the staff at CareOne and Salmon Hospice.
A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church of Boylston on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. The burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or Wounded Warriors Project. Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.