JAMES G. JONES
Died Nov. 21, 2008
James Gardner Jones, formerly of LaGrange, transitioned from this world on Friday at 2 a.m. at Carteret General Hospital. His daughter, Phyllis, and son Michael, were at his side when he took his last breaths and passed away.
Private services will be held.
James was the son of Marvin and Layunne Jones and spent his childhood in Jason. Jason was once a prospering town with a furniture store, post office and general store, where you could buy your own groceries, send a letter, purchase alcohol, and be placed in jail all in the same building. Brothers Ben and Jackson and a sister, Ruth, were also a part of James' family and are still alive today.
A Korean War veteran, James started as a journeyman electrician as a young man after returning home from the war. Later on, James became a foreman with Electricon Inc. in Kinston where he worked until his retirement.
In the mid 1950s, James met Marilyn Tilghman and they married in November of 1955. Son, James Michael, was born in 1957, and daughter, Phyllis Carol joined the family on Christmas Day in 1960. Though James and Marilyn divorced in the early 1990s, she remained the love of his life until his passing.
James was a man of few words, a pretty good dancer in his youth and was quick to smile. Though many of his later years were spent in Harbor View Nursing Home in Morehead City, he maintained his individualism to the end and his caretakers there appreciated his strength and resilience.
"Jesse James" will be missed by many, especially his children. Though we couldn't spend as much time with Dad as we would have liked given our locale, we loved him dearly and will miss him just the same. You did this life well, Dad ... rest in peace.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on November 26, 2008 1:47 PM