James (Jay) Jones
August 30, 1946 – July 10, 2022
Jay Jones passed away on July 10, 2022. Jay was raised in Wilmerding, PA and joined the Navy in 1964. He was an Enlisted Air Crewman and was selected for the Naval Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP) and graduated from the University of Louisville with a BSEE. Jay was awarded his wings as a Naval Flight Officer (NFO) and flew in the A-6 Intruder. While an instructor at Naval Station Norfolk, VA, Jay enrolled in Master of Science in Safety classes at the University of Southern California campus at Naval Station Norfolk. Retiring from the Navy in 1984, he attended National Lewis University in Evanston, IL and graduated with a Master of Science Degree in Counseling. Jay worked as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, Clinical Supervisor and Program Manager until retiring in 2002. Jay was the Commanding Officer of the Naval Sea Cadet Division 9-1-1 and the Navy League Ship Butch O’Hare at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He was a Police and Fire Commissioner in Fox Lake, Il and a Reserve Community Service Officer with the Petaluma, CA Police Department. Jay enjoyed coaching with the Rohnert Park Warriors, Rohnert Park Soccer Club, and Rohnert Park Cal Ripken. He traveled with his family throughout the country. He was a Certified SCUBA Rescue Diver. He was on the boards of SIRS and the Foxtail Seniors in Rohnert Park and loved golfing with them. Jay enjoyed fostering kittens for the Rohnert Park Animal Services and his dog Cooper.
Jay was preceded in death by his parents William R. and Agnes V. Jones, son Raymond R. “Buck” Jones and younger brother Thomas Jones. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend Michela (Micki) Jones, son James Jones Jr., daughters Kelly Mandella (Larry) and Shannon Jones and grandchildren Jacob and Chris Mandella, Connor, Braeden, Keegen, Addison and Caitlin Jones and Tucker Bernhardy.
The family has greatly benefited from being involved with the character and leadership program Klemmer and Associates and Jay was very supportive.
The family asks that those who wish to make a donation in his honor that it be to the Mustard Seed Scholarship Fund for Klemmer Leadership and Character Development https://provisionbridge.org/mustard-seed-scholarship-fund/
Visitation and funeral services will be held at Eggen & Lance on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Following the burial with Military Honors at Santa Rosa Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m.
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EGGEN & LANCE: 1540 MENDOCINO AVENUE, SANTA ROSA
Visitation – Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Service – Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.
SANTA ROSA MEMORIAL PARK: 1900 FRANKLIN AVENUE, SANTA ROSA
Interment/Burial with Military Honors – Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
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Rest In Peace to a great Father Grandfather and Buddy in the short times We we’re together.
You will be remembered always and never forgotten. Fair winds and following sees my brother, love you always!
Prayers for Micki and the kids and all of the grandkids in this very deep loss. You are loved and prayed for.
RIP. FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS. May you always have a light off you Bow. Dan
We are saddened by the news of Jays passing. I met Jay when my oldest daughter Candace joined NLCC and oldest son joined NSCC. Our family stayed in touch with Buck while he went to college and beyond. Buck made it to Candace’s going away party when her Army unit deployed to Afghanistan and when she came home.
We have wonderful memories of our times with your family and will never forget when Jay called Candace the “Bell of the Ball” when she showed up at a beach party for the unit.
Jay never made anyone feel like a stranger and always made people feel welcome. His service to our country and all the organizations he was involved in are a testament of the man he was.
May you find comfort in the memories and legacy he left behind.
Our deepest condolences to Mikki and his children and grandchildren at this difficult time.
Stood many watches with you,Jay.Rest in Peace my brother, till we meet again.Fair winds and following seas.
My heart goes out to Micki and the Jones family and hope that you will find some comfort in knowing how much Jay was truly loved and meant so much to so many.
Jay was such a kind, caring, and compassionate human being. He always brought out the best in everyone. May he RIP, and prayers to Micki and all of the family.
Rest In Peace Jay. You will be missed by so many but never forgotten. You were the kindest person and a true friend to so many. It was an honor to be your friend. Our condolences to Micki and your family. Maureen and Jerry.
May you find as much LOVE in heaven as you gave here on earth.your love continues here ,even as heaven welcomes it’s newest to Angel.
My Dear Jay I will always remember your smile and how special you made me feel every time we met and how lovely and cute you said Mooony. I’m forever thankful with God for the opportunity to live with you and your beautiful family in the States as an exchange student. Experience which made me be a better person and to learn English. But the best of the experience was to be part of your family which I adore and I still feel part of the Jones Family. Many hugs in heaven, you will always be in my heart. My deepest condolences Micky, Jay Jr., Kelly and Shannon and his grandchildren.
I am extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Jay. I met him many years ago when he joined the Petaluma Police Department’s Reserve Community Service Officer Program. Jay was a wonderful man to have around the department and I will forever remember the countless conversations I had with him over the years. You will be sorely missed by me and so many others. Rest in Peace my friend. Condolences to Micki and the rest of their family.
Grateful to have met you. Blessed to be your friend. Miss you already, love you always.
Muy agradecidos de haberte conocido y acompañamos a Micky, Jay Jr., Kelly, Shannon y nietos en esta irreparable perdida.
Grateful to have had time with you. Love and strength to your family.
Rest In Peace
What an accomplished gentleman. How proud the Jones family must be. I’m sure he set an example of strength and grace for all. My condolences to you. I’m sure that wonderful memories will replace grief, in time.
What a beautiful life! Jay, may your star shine bright now in the hearts of your beloved wife, family, and all whose lives you touched.
“What you leave behind is not engraved in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others.” –– Pericles