Donald Ray Jones

Ray retired from Alcoa in 1987 after over 23 years of service as an electrician. During his course of service, Ray worked in all areas of the plant and was instrumental in the development of patents still in use worldwide.

He grew up during the great depression, lost his mother in 1931, served in the Army throughout World War II in the European Theater, landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, was attached to Patton’s 3rd army in France and Germany, was the first allied soldier to see the atrocities of Klaus Barbie at the Paris Airport, survived the Battle of the Bulge, and liberated various concentration camps in Germany. He was part of a large group of heroes that dreamed of a world free from tyranny and injustice and fought to make that dream come true.

Ray came home after the war to raise a family. He is survived by his sons, Donald (Donna), Michael (Jill), and Stephen (Jeanne); six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his sister, Nima Haag.

Preceding him in death was his wife of 53 years, Evelyn; his daughter, Shirley; and son, Dennis Ray.

From the 1950’s until late in his life, Ray served as a Baptist Deacon for three different churches and pastors.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at Alexander Newburgh Chapel and will be followed by a prayer service and color guard ceremony at the Park Lawn Cemetery Chapel in Evansville. Friends may visit from 4 until 8 p.m. on Monday, at the funeral home.