John Jones

Mr. John Ralph Jones Jr., age 75, of Dahlonega, passed away on December 11, 2019 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a short illness.  Ralph was a member of the Dahlonega United Methodist Church.

Ralph as born July 18, 1944 in New Orleans, LA to parents John Ralph Jones Sr. (John) and Myldred Guess Jones while his father was stationed at Ft. Polk during World War II.  In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by an infant sister, Claudette Jones. 

After the war, the family moved back home to Dahlonega and Lumpkin County.  Ralph graduated from Lumpkin County High School in 1962.  He then entered North Georgia College and in 1966 received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Ordnance Corps.  After entering active duty in 1966, Ralph was stationed at the Army Missile Test and Evaluation Center, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.  Upon release from active duty with the rank of Captain, Ralph returned to Dahlonega.  Ralph was elected as the Lumpkin County Probate Judge where he served for 28 years. 

Ralph will be best remembered for his service as part of American Legion Post 239, Dahlonega.  Established in the late 1940s, American Legion Post 239 had seen more and less active times in its history.  Ralph’s service to the Legion was instrumental in its revitalization.  Ralph served as the Legion Post  Service Officer and spent 15 years as the Post Adjutant, and has quietly overseen many of the Legion’s contributions to the community.  He started the Girls Fast-pitch Softball program; is responsible for the Legion sponsoring the Heroes softball team, a team for players with disabilities led by Susan and Bobby Burrell, and the High School Rifle Team; was instrumental in building a community swimming pool; and revitalized the Legion’s scholarship program in all schools, including an academic scholarship for Mountain Education; financial support for the Claude Gilstrap Special Needs Fund, Girls and Boys State attendees and White Christmas.  What Ralph was able to do for the youth of Lumpkin County was his proudest achievement.

Ralph is survived by his brother, Al Jones and sister-in-law, Susie Jones of Huntsville, AL; nieces Allison Jones, Lesley Steele, and Holly Lundy, all of the Huntsville area.  A number of cousins who were very special to Ralph and many friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Anderson – Underwood Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Bethlehem-Jones Chapel Family Cemetery with military honors. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to your favorite charity.

To share a memory of Ralph or a condolence with the family visit andersonunderwood.com.

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home of Dahlonega