H. Earl Jones Jr.

Junior, as he was known in his hometown, was the oldest child of Earl and Ruth Jones. He grew up with his brother and sister in the small rural community of Sims, Illinois. At 17, after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy. He was accepted into officer’s training school and was sent to Notre Dame to study. After being commissioned, he was sent to the Pacific theater during World War II. He earned the Victory Ribbon World War II and the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific. He was in Japan for VJ Day on August 15. 1945.

Earl returned to the states and was in Seattle where he was decommissioning his ship, when he met the love of his life. He saw her across the dance floor at the Trianon Ballroom in Seattle, asked her to dance and then requested her hand in marriage. She thought he was joking and said yes. Much to her surprise he showed up at her home the next day with the intention of taking her to get a marriage license. He was persistent! They were married 6 weeks latter, on October 3, 1945, at the Navy Chapel in Bremerton.

Earl attended Seattle University where he finished his accounting degree and began his 35-year career as an internal auditor for the Boeing Company. Earl and Francie raised 3 children (two of them adopted) and served as a foster home for seven children, placed with them by Catholic Community Services.

Earl and Francie enjoyed recreation as a couple. They loved hunting, camping, fishing, boating and swimming. Earl enjoyed “surf boarding” on Hood Canal or just floating along in the breeze on his air mattress.

Earl’s greatest pleasure was spending time with his wife and family. He became an avid Seahawk’s fan and enjoyed “flipping” cars as a hobby. At one time, he owned 3 classic Mustangs.

Earl and Francie retired to their home on Hood Canal and spent 40 winters as “snow birds” in Arizona. There they rode bicycles, played billards, cards and occasional trips to the casino.

Earl is survived by his wife of 73 years, daughters Earline and Charlotte, grand children, Fr. Dominic, Donny, Robby, Austin and Jessica and great grandsons, Joey and Isaac.