Russell G. Jones, 11 Jul 1921 - 04 Feb 2014

JONES, TRUAX, JACOBS, TAYLOR

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 2/18/2014 at 15:59:24

Col. Russell Jones, 92

Funeral service for Colonel (ret) Russell G. Jones, 92, Frankfort, Ind., was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10, at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Frankfort. He died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, at IU Health Arnett Hospital, Lafayette, Ind.

The Rev. Michael Lawson officiated at the service.

Burial was in the Marengo Cemetery at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Memorials may be made to St. Matthew United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or the Lions Club Eye Bank.

Genda Funeral Home, Frankfort, was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.gendafuneralhome.com.

Russell G. Jones was born July 11, 1921, in Bristow, the son of Paul and Nettie Truax Jones. He graduated from Rockwell City High School and later graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in business administration.

As a veteran of World War II, he fought in Europe with the 102nd Infantry Division. He was also a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars, where he served five tours. He attended the Infantry School of Ft. Benning, Ga., and was inductged into the Infantry Hall of Fame.

At Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., he graduated from the Command and General Staff College. During his 30 year Army career, he served in the Infantry with the 84th and 102nd Divisions, Intelligence, ROTC at Georgia Tech, Civil Affairs, Pyschological Operations and Inspector General, 1st Army.

His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with V and Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Air Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Europe-African Medal, Expert Rifle, Carbine and Pistol Badges and China and Vietnam Medals. After retirement from active duty, he taught JROTC at Frankfort High School for 15 years. His students won two national championships.

He married Ruth Jacobs April 17, 1943, in Marengo. He was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church, where he served on the ushering team and on various other church committees. He was a member and past president of the Frankfort Lions Club where he was liaison for the Frankfort Lions Eyeglass Project and drove the Lions Club float in the Frankfort Christmas parade for a number of years.

He was past District Governor of District 25-C of the Indiana Lions. He was awarded the Melvin Jones and W.P. Woods Awards by Lions International. He was named a Clinton County Gem. He drove for the American Red Cross.

His memberships include the N.R.A., American Legion (life member), Military Order World Wars, University of Iowa Alumni Association, 88th Div. Association, Military Order Association of U.S. Army and 102nd Div. Association.

Jones is survived by his wife; one daughter, Sara (Cecil) Taylor, Plano, Texas, and three grandchildren, Anthony Taylor, Austin Taylor and Rebecca Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ward Jones.

The Williamsburg Journal Tribune, 13 Feb 2014