Edwin "Bud" Jones, Jr.

Edwin Montezuma (Bud) Jones, Jr.

December 27, 1925 – September 12, 2016

Edwin M. (Bud) Jones of Ocala, Florida passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on the morning of September 12, 2016, at the age of 90.  Bud was a true Southern Gentleman and a member of the Greatest Generation, who served his country with honor as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Bud was the beloved spiritual leader of his family, a loving husband, father, and Papa.  He was born on December 27, 1925 in Atlanta, Georgia, the only child of Edwin M. Jones and Katherine Blake Jones.  After his family moved to Pennsylvania, he graduated from Philadelphia High School.  Upon graduation, he joined the Army, serving as a combat engineer and reaching the rank of Sergeant.  He served in the European theater during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1946.

Bud spent most of his career in the financial services industry, retiring from A.G. Edwards & Sons, (New York Stock Exchange), St. Petersburg, Florida in 1988 as VP of Investments.  During the time that he and his family resided in Tampa, Florida, Bud was involved in the following civic organizations:  member and president of Tampa Interbay Rotary Club, member of Tampa Sales Executive Club, Member of Tampa Presidents Club, member of Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Advisor to Boys Club of Tampa, as well as many other civic organizations.

After retiring, Bud moved to Marion County, Florida and resided there until his death.  In Marion County, he served as chairman of the Code Enforcement Board, was a member and director of the Ocala Silver Springs Rotary Club, and was a member of the Ocala Boat Club.

Bud received many awards and honors during his lifetime, among them being named Father of the Year at Bayshore Baptist Church, and being named a Paul Harris Fellow, by the Tampa Interbay Rotary Club.  He was an active member of Rotary International for over 50 years.

As a man whose life was guided by his Christian faith, Bud was involved in several churches, including Bayshore Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida, and Highlands Baptist Church in Ocala, Florida.  He was also a speaker throughout Florida for Tampa Full Gospel, as well as being founder and president of Jericho Experience Evangelism.

Bud loved to travel, visiting 38 countries.  His favorite travel destination was Israel, which he visited 14 times, often sharing his love for the country as a leader of tour groups.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sandra Anderson Jones, his son David Blake Jones, and two stepsons, Michael and David Koon.  Bud’s son, Edwin Gray Jones followed him in death on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.

Left to treasure his memory are: beloved wife of almost 24 years, Elfreeda Koon Jones, his son, Andy Jones (Liz), daughters-in-law Martha Jones and Oenita Jones, grandchildren, Matthew Jones (Kim), Michael Jones, Kimberly Jones, and great granddaughter Kyla Jones.  Also, step grandchildren Jason Birch (Melissa), Christopher Sacauskas (Tina), Angela Stegeman (David), Dr. Demien Forest Obregon (Jasminda), Cynthia Koon, Lesley Kamphaus (Lance), Crystal Horne (Travis), Lisa Decanio, David Ryan Koon.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Highlands Baptist Church, Ocala, FL. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow the service in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Ocala, Fl.  In lieu of flowers, please consider Bud’s support of the ALS Association and Highlands Baptist Church.

ALS Association Florida Chapter
3242 Parkside Center Circle
Tampa, FLA  33619