Thomas Jones' Obituary
Thomas "Tom" Henry Jones, age 73, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2016, after a courageous fight against cancer. He lived, loved, and was loved throughout a full life. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, he grew up largely in the Midwest. From 1964-1969, Tom served as a U.S. Naval officer after graduating from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Psychology. His naval career included a tour of duty in Vietnam leading a division of river patrol boats and for that service he was awarded a bronze star for meritorious service in combat. He bore the burden of service to his country with quiet fortitude, even for the physical wounds - caused by exposure to Agent Orange - which only became evident decades after his service ended. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Tom went on to receive a Master of Journalism degree from Columbia University in New York City. He began his journalism career with the Miami News and soon thereafter, married Beatriz R. Jones with whom he had three children. His journalism career also included periods as an editor for the Chicago Sun-Times and Charlotte Observer. For the latter, he served as a State and Business Editor in the early 1980s. He happily finished his corporate career as the Manager of Communications & Public Affairs at IBM Charlotte from 1983-2005; the position gave him great joy as he fostered public/private partnerships to better the Charlotte community. In 2002, he successfully published a true crime book, Fear No Evil, and after retirement, he earned a U.S. Merchant Marine captain's license. In a life well-lived, his proudest achievement was his three children: sons, Andrew and Alex, and daughter, Anne-Marie. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Eli Richardson (St. Petersburg, FL) and Jake, Eloise and Ben Carlson (Madison, GA); his sister, Kathy Branham (Huntington, Indiana); mother of his children, Beatriz Rinc¢n Jones; and loving partner, Nancy Baucom. Memorial services will be held at the Lingle Chapel at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Tuesday, February 9, at 3:00 p.m. in Davidson, NC; a reception will immediately follow. The family requests any memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, be made online to the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, NC (www.adajenkins.org), a Davidson-community education, health, and human services non-profit organization. James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family of Mr. Jones and online condolences can be made to jamesfuneralhomelkn.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-jones&pid=177632578#sthash.ZlnRONIi.dpuf
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