Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert Lee Jones

Bob Jones (Lt. Col. RET. Robert L. Jones)

October 1, 1923 – June 29, 2024

Bob Jones, everyone's personal hero, grew up in Okarche, Oklahoma. While living the cowboy life in the family stockyard, the attack on Pearl Harbor inspired him to join the Army Air Corps, where he served as a pilot during WWII and the Korean War. He stayed in the Air Force Reserves before retiring as a Lt. Colonel. His passion for flying continued throughout his life, leading him to become the Chief Pilot for Standard Oil in Ohio (SOHIO) and a co-pilot for Fuqua Industries in Atlanta. Bob also embraced various co-pilot opportunities, flying out of numerous airports around Atlanta. Remarkably, he maintained his certification and continued flying until his full retirement at the age of 75.

When not in the air, Bob devoted his time to volunteer work. He was an active member of the Big Brothers program and accumulated over 1,000 volunteer hours at St. Joseph's Hospital and the VA Hospital in Atlanta. Bob was also a proud member of the World War II Roundtable. He was a member of the World War II History Roundtable, Mighty 8th Air Force Historical Society, and Silver Wings, and he received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. His faith was the cornerstone of his life, and he thrived on living it both personally and as a dedicated parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Atlanta. He loved sharing stories and inspiring the next generation in faith and perseverance.

Bob cherished family gatherings, spending time with friends, watching sports, closely following St. Pius X Catholic High School athletics and arts, attending World War II Roundtable meetings, and staying active at Heartis. If he could enjoy these activities with a glass of wine, scotch or a martini, or a good drive in a Porsche with beloved souls, life was even grander. Bob blessed his family and the world in countless ways, always living with love and setting a gentle and true example throughout his 100 years on earth.

In August, just before his 100th birthday, Bob was invited to co-pilot a historic plane from the 1930s that he had flown over sixty years ago—a testament to his enduring spirit and love for aviation.

Bob's greatest accomplishments were his loving family: his wife, Becky Jones; son, Andy Beakey (Denise Beakey); daughters, Beverly Morgan (Kelly Morgan) and Rebecca Rose (Matt Rose); grandchildren, Madison Cummings (Christopher Cummings), Drew Beakey (Taylor Beakey), Rachael Rose, Rylee Rose, and Matthew Rose; great-granddaughter, Emerson Cummings; his surviving brother, Mike Jones; his beloved late siblings Dick, Harry, and sister Frankie, and many cherished nieces, nephews, and friends.

A funeral Mass with Military Honors will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 3772 Chamblee Tucker Rd., Atlanta, GA 30341. Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. on Friday July 12, 2024 at Honey Creek Woodlands, 2625 GA Hwy. 212, Conyers, GA, 30094. The family will receive friends at the Church from 10:00 a.m. until time of Service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Pius X Catholic High School Memorial Scholarship Fund at: : https://cfnga.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1384

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.