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Douglas Jones
In Memory of
Douglas W. "Deacon"
Jones
1916 - 2014
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Obituary for Douglas W. "Deacon" Jones

Douglas W. "Deacon"  Jones
Douglas W. “Deacon” Jones passed away after a wonderful 98 years of life on Thursday December 4, 2014 at Fairview Manor. He was born in Ashland, KY on July 4, 1916, son of the late Ollie D. and Virginia I. Stroud Jones.
Deacon’s family moved to Erie in 1929 and he began his life-long involvement in the Erie Community. He was a 1935 graduate of Strong Vincent High School where he excelled in football, basketball and track. He was also a standout athlete at Perkiomen Prep School, University of Southern California and Temple University where he played basketball. In April of 1940 Deacon married the love of his life Betty Bagans from Philadelphia. In 1943 he joined the United States Army and became part of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Deacon served valiantly in the European Theater, 1944/45 jumping in and fighting through France, Italy and at the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium where he earned two purple hearts and the Bronze Star. His fellow “Battling Buzzards” became some of his closest life-long friends. Deacon retired from National Service Engraving Company of Erie in 1976 and went on to work for Bohman Music Sales. He was on the Board of Governors for many years at H.A.N.D.S. and along with his wife they enjoyed the outdoors, especially walking, swimming and gardening. His most proud achievement was his and Betty’s raising of five children. He was very involved in coaching, cub scouting and mentoring many young people along the way. His children and grandchildren knew him for his listening ear, selflessness, humility, compassion, great sense of humor, a person who never forgot a name or face (including dogs) and a very talented pianist. He enjoyed entertaining many and played with the Troubadoors in Erie until four months prior to his death.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 72 years Betty; one daughter and son-in-law, Barbara J. and John E. Poux and two sisters, Esther Dale Boetcker and Virginia Roland.
He is survived by two sons, David (Fely) of Fairview and Douglas (Rhonda) Erie; two daughters, Betsy (Robert) Eisbart of White Marsh, MD and Barrie (Tom) Nolan of Fairview; eleven grandchildren, Marla (Jim) Nix of Silver Spring, MD, Susan (Vini) Espinoza of Washington, DC, Daniel (Kelly) Jones of Rangeley, ME, Darren Jones of Chicago, IL, Diandra Jones of Tortolla, VI, David Jones of Raleigh, NC, Leah (Mark Schiller) Eisbart of San Francisco, CA, Margot Eisbart of Miami, FL, Brendan (Meaghan) Nolan of Darien, CT, Christopher (Johanna Kao) Nolan of Rangoon, Burma and Jessica Nolan of Chicago, IL. He is further survived by thirteen great-grandchildren; Zoe and Ben Nix, Rio and Sky Espinoza, Zachary, Brenten, Madison and Ethan Jones, Mackenzie, Jack and Marykate Nolan, Eleanor Kao and Maya Schiller.
A Memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family and along with his wife they will be inurned in Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements were under the care of the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc. 5000 Wattsburg Rd. Erie, PA 16504. Memorial contributions may be made to Glenwood United Methodist Church 2931 Myrtle St. Erie, PA 16508.
Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.

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