Orville Lavern Jones Sr.

Orville graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, Texas and attended Prairie View A&M University. Shortly afterward, Orville joined the Military. While serving, he married Mabel Stewart on December 18, 1958, in Mount Clemens, Michigan. Four children came from their union: Orville Jr., Brenda, Carl and Andrea.

Orville enlisted in an honorable military career that lasted over 40 years. He was stationed in many parts of the world before retiring from Travis Air Force Base, California, after 26 years. He had been serving in the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant while Inventory Supervisor. He served an additional 16 years in the United States Navy in San Francisco Bay, California, where he received the Meritorious Service Public Works award.

A few of his many accomplishments include:

• 1977: Command Non-Commissioned Officer Academy correspondence program

diploma from Extension Course Institution Air University

• 1980: Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service

• 1980: Certification of Retirement from the United States Air Force

• 1983: Associates degree in general business science from Solano Community College

• 1992-1994: Meritorious Service Award for Public Works in the Oakland/ San Fransisco Bay Area

• 1995: Career Service Award for 40 years from the Navy and government

• 1980-1996: award form Material Department PWC

• 1997: Certificate of Retirement from Navy Public Works

Orville (Papa) was a great father who loved and adored his beautiful wife, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandsons. He was very intelligent, supportive, wise and reliable. His kindness was not his weakness. Everyone felt comfortable asking for Papa’s opinion and advice. In another way to share his love, Orville contributed financially to his community and many organizations.

Our family could always find Papa in his office taking care of business or watching a Western movie. He proudly claimed to be an undefeated pinochle and dominoes player. Also, he enjoyed taking road trips with his wife and family. We will always remember how he prepared our Sunday breakfast. His legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Orville was preceded in death by his parents, Vivian and Abigail Jones, his two brothers, J.V. and Weldon H. Jones, his sister Clarissa Jones-Simmons and his lovely granddaughter Annika L. Jones.

He is survived by many friends and family members, including his loving wife of 64 years and the mother of his four children, Mabel Jones. Papa’s children are Orville Jones Jr. (wife Natalie), Brenda Jones, Carl Jones (wife Criselda), and Andrea Jones-Thompson (husband Kelvin). Orville’s eight surviving grandchildren are Skylar, Khara, Kreol, Darius, Olivia, Kelvin Jr., Paris and Bryson. His three great-grandsons are Amari, Jakari and Ezekiel.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com for the Jones family.