Gary Douglas Jones

I’m reading a book called Following Atticus by Tom Ryan. It is a story about a man who finds peace and solace in the rolling peaks of New Hampshire. I have thought about my father throughout this book and this particular quote I thought would make a nice tribute to him.

Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful, not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.

Kendra and I often talk about our love languages and what they mean. To me, Grandpa's love language was without a doubt quality time. That is confirmed through the many pictures of him and my family scattered all through my phone.

Growing up I remember going to school on a Monday and asking my friends what they did over the weekend. I would often get " I stayed the night with my grandparents" or "my grandparents came over for a cookout." I was envious of that as me and my grandparents did not live in the same city. However, as I got older, it made me appreciate the quality time that I did spend with my grandparents. Whether it was a beach trip in Destin, snow skiing in Park City, Christmas in Telluride, shooting birds in South Dakota or sipping bourbon in Birmingham. I genuinely looked forward to every visit.

I have always looked up to my Dad, my Uncle Don, my Uncle Ken, my Aunt Lisa and my Aunt Shelly. I think that's because they always seemed so proud to be a Jones. And I think the reason for that is the foundation that my Grandpa built. It comes from the way that he treated people and the way that people treated and respected him. One of my goals as a father, is to make sure my kids (Wyatt and Emma) have that same pride.

If I could have one more bourbon with my Grandpa, I would make sure it was a double and neat. I would sip slow and tell him thank you. Every memory I have with him is a good one. I would tell him that he has had a bigger impact on my life than he knows. I'd tell him that I love him and that I miss him dearly.

Cheers, Grandpa.
Cody

Gary began his employment at BE&K in 1991. He was hired as President of BE&K's Process Division to oversee our process business and our DuPont alliance. Gary was a true professional, an engineer's engineer. His integrity and honesty were never questioned. He was one of those unique individuals who was as comfortable in a Board room setting as he was talking to a laborer in the field. He made a significant contribution to the success of BE&K and was beloved and respected by all his colleagues at BE&K. He will be greatly missed. Mike Goodrich

This week my childhood friend, Gary Jones, passed away at age 87. He and I grew up in the same neighborhood about (4) doors apart, attended school and Sunday School together, played pickup softball and football together in our
neighborhood, and perhaps more importantly were confirmed together at age 14. He was such a
noteworthy fellow and longtime friend.

Gary was a gifted athlete, starring in football, soccer, and golf at Bridgeville High School. After a year at Columbia University where he played freshman football, he returned to Bridgeville in order to be reunited with his high school sweetheart, Nancy Hilty. He transferred to Carnegie Tech where he studied Civil Engineering and played football as the team's running back for (3) years prior to earning his degree in 1959. I attended Gary and Nancy's wedding when they were married on his Thanksgiving break in 1957, a marriage that lasted 66 years only to be interrupted by Gary's death.

According to their son Don, Gary and Nancy's love story endured to the very end. Gary had lived up to King Solomon's words found in Proverbs 5:18 as follows, “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.”

Tragedy interrupted Gary's high school and college career when his older brother Amos perished when his Navy plane crashed on a glacier covered mountaintop in Iceland on December 16, 1953, while on a reconnaissance mission. Due to inclimate weather and inadequate recovery equipment, the remains of the flyers were not recovered. Although Gary seemed to move on with his life after that,
understandably, I don't think his parents ever got over the loss of their son. How does a parent ever get over the loss of a child?

By the time Gary was a senior at Carnegie Tech he was married, renting a house, had an infant
child, and was working at a gas station in the evening. All of this was on top of studying Civil
Engineering and, in the fall semester, playing football. Meanwhile, yours truly was also earning a Civil Engineering degree at Penn State without any family responsibilities, by that time studying as little as possible, and having a good time! I have always marveled at the “number of balls Gary had in the air” and successfully dealt with during his senior year in college. I crossed paths twice with Gary after we graduated from college, namely when we both were teaching Sunday School classes at Bethany Presbyterian Church in 1960 and 1961 and in the summer of 1961 when we both played on the church's softball team. Incidentally, when I became aware that Gary was teaching a Sunday School class I volunteered to teach a class too, having been influenced by him. Gary and I were young, age 23, and he had set an example for me! Interestingly, Gary was the catcher on our Bethany Church softball team just as he was when we played baseball together in the summer of 1951 in Bridgeville's Knee Pants League.

Shortly after this period of time Gary left the Pittsburgh area and went on to a very successful career in construction management, and we lost contact.

By 1981 the glacier on the mountaintop in Iceland had receded and a shepherd rounding up his sheep came across the now exposed wreckage of Amos' airplane. His remains were recovered, and when he was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Gary attended the ceremony. Although his parents were unable to be there due to health problems, Gary took them to the grave site later in the 1980's.

After Gary retired, he and Nancy visited her relatives in Bridgeville each spring, and I had the
opportunity to get together with them. In 2008, inspired by my project to commemorate the
men from the Bridgeville and South Fayette Area who perished while serving in the military, Gary and
Nancy traveled to Iceland, met men who were involved in the 1953 and 1981 rescue efforts, and visited
the site of the airplane wreckage. In 2009 when I spoke on the progress of my project at a Bridgeville Area Historical Society meeting Gary and Nancy, who were in the area for their annual visit, attended the meeting. When I completed my project in 2011 and published “Almost Forgotten” a photograph of Gary at the wreckage site was included in the book.

When Gary passed away this week I was reminded of two pertinent scriptures, they being Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 and 2 Timothy 4:7 which read respectively as follows, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die” and “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Gary certainly lived up to Paul's words!

Peace of Christ be with each of you Joe

The Jones and the Molinar’s go back many moons ago. Yet, it was their love, their friendship with us was nothing but incomparable. But what we shared the most was the like-mindedness in what truly mattered – the Word of God in our souls. Gary was truly a Wise Man indeed (Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 23:24). He certainly did “Redeem his time” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

We were extremely fortunate to have them visit South Africa, and we attach a couple of memories from that trip. The site was the Battle of Isandlwana, where the British had the worst defeat in British history, against the Zulu warriors. The Jones were joined by treasured friends, Richard & Shirley Tucker. We all had a most memorable time together in South Africa. While we may be separated by oceans and “changed” addresses, now in eternity, but we will most certainly be toasting our reunion, one Day in the not-too-distant future. And what a glorious Day that will be!!

Ciao Gary. We’ll be seeing you….

Dear Jones family, we were deeply saddened to hear of Gary‘s passing. So many fond memories up on the Mesa that I’m not sure where to begin. It is sad to look over at the house and know they aren’t there. The Mesa is quieter. I will say the fondest memory is when they would have the kids over for breakfast. Regan, Kyle, Max, Jenna, and Megan– it was just the kids, adults allowed. Because Gary and Nancy wanted to talk to them and see what they were up to and get their thoughts. The kids always came back laughing and going on about what a great time it was. When they got older, the kids made breakfast for them – still no adults. Thank you for sharing them. I hope Nancy is doing OK. Bless all of you – we keep you in our prayers. Love, Karen, Lee, Regan, Kyle, and Max.

I am, in one way, saddened to hear of Gary's passing. In another way, I am glad that he has transitioned to be with the Lord. Gary was the first person I met and developed a friendship with when I came to BE&K. (He was my seat mate at Leadership Birmingham.) Over the years, we shared many discussions about faith and family. He was truly a person of integrity. I know his family will miss him. Be encouraged by the life that he lived and the legacy that he left.

I have never met a more loved and loving couple as Nancy and Gary. We were lucky enough to be neighbors for over 20 years. Nancy’s charm and Gary’s humor were on full display at our weekly “sit and sips”. Gary seemed to know a little about everything and a lot about most things.
I will never forget our visit to Telluride when they took us on a “little” 6 mile hike. Gary carried a backpack with everyone’s water and jackets. Mind you, we were 15 years younger but still couldn’t keep up.
Gary loved the Lord and he loved Donald Trump😂 his stories will be sorely missed! Rest in peace sweet friend!

Gary’s life was his family and his faith. He was a man of integrity, honesty and compassion. He loved my sister Nancy and his family and provided them a good life with much love.

We always had fun when they came to visit us in Bridgeville or in Destin.

When I think of Gary I think of a fabulous steak dinner at a special restaurant or a fish sandwich at the local bar; a fine bottle of wine or a draft beer; an expensive suit and tie or a Pittsburgh Steeler shirt and jeans.

For years I made him my special cookies. I guess I did it because he called them “Cathy’s Cookies” and said there were none like them. When he and Nancy lived in Colorado he used to drive down the mountain to the post office with his thermos of coffee to see if they arrived and eat some on the way home.

I will miss our conversations about the Steelers. I would call and tell him “you better suit up Gary”, our running back is hurt and you may have to go in.” He would laugh.

He would go to Pennsylvania Macaroni with Billy and my brother-in-law Bill for specialty cheeses and to the gun store to look at guns and ammo. He asked the “cheese lady” a million questions about the cheese until he knew everything about it. At the gun store he did the same. He looked at the ammo for a long, long time and Billy finally asked him if he was going to buy it and he said “That is a purchase for another time”. And that was that.

You can tell how much he was loved by the way his sons and their families helped he and Nancy when they needed them.

Gary, you will be missed.
Billy and Cathy

Rest in peace, Gary. You will be deeply missed- The Morrow Family

I only knew Gary for a short time, but reading Joe Oyler’s weekly devotional on Gary, you really got to know him. You had a better understanding of who he was and what he did to make sure his family had everything they needed. Joe mentioned during his devotional Gary’s senior year of college, “ he was married, was renting a house, had an infant child, and was working at a gas station in the evening. All of this was “on top” of studying Civil Engineering and, in the fall semester, playing football.” How do you juggle all of this? Faith. Gary was a man of faith and never wavered. You see how he instilled this in his kids. I am fortunate to be part of this family and witness Gary’s influence. Gary, thank you for the Old Fashioned recipe you printed out for me. Thank you for accepting me, despite being a Raiders fan. Thank you for giving me an example of a how to be a good man. Thank you. Love you Gieka.

When I was little, I could not say “granpa”, so I settled on Gieka and my grandfather’s new name attached itself to him. Interestingly, my cousins had their own names for him- Papa, grandad, grandpa- and he wore them all confidently.

Gieka’s passing has not seemed as real as perhaps it should. It’s hard when you haven’t seen someone in months, and then suddenly you won’t see them again. I’m grateful for this platform to give words to feelings. I’m very thankful to celebrate the amazing life of Gary Jones with those who loved him.

My grandfather was an extremely generous man who would do anything for his family. He was strong in his faith, devoted to his wife, and who can only be described as a truly good man. He kept my history reports from grade school and read them regularly. He insisted I needed mink brushes when I started wearing makeup. He really liked Pedro, despite the “whole Raiders thing.”

I’ve spent a lot of time looking at photos of Gieka and I together. My favorites are from our time spent in Destin, FL. I was maybe 5? The photos of Gieka and I standing at the shoreline, holding hands and looking at a blue horizon- those will always stick out to me. Gieka wore more sun-protective clothing than I thought possible, but with his toes in the sand and the waves at his feet, he acknowledged the passing of another day with his little granddaughter who thought he was the wisest (coolest).

Gieka was also a die hard Steelers fan, so much so that he often watched the games on mute so he wouldn’t have to listen to the “talking heads”. The fandom skipped a generation, and I became a Steelers fan because Gieka was and I wanted to be like Gieka.

I wish we could still talk Steelers football and complain about the lacking secondary. I would love nothing more than to watch one more Destin sunset together, but I’m happy to know that’s he is in Heaven. I’ve said it so many times, but the song “Pink Skies” by Zach Bryan will always remind me of my passionate, reliable, steadfast and selfless grandfather.

Gieka, I love you. Thank you.

Nancy and Gary were such good friends. We had many adventures together and on a road trip we found the Mesa in Telluride together.We built a house and they follow ten years later. They were so wonderful to me after Bob died and always included me in many outings. I served on the Wilson Mesa Hoeowners' Board for many years with him and Gary was always a wealth of information and guidance. He will be missed by many but he is in a better place.

Where to start with this great man that I am so fortunate to call my father in law. The task of telling one story is impossible as I am blessed to have a lifetime of memories with Gary.

When Don and I were married for about 5 years, Don was offered a new position in Newport Beach, California. We had just settled into our new home in Atlanta. Gary and Nancy lived 2 hours away and we spent countless weekends together. When Don told me we were moving I was so upset. I remember calling Nancy crying and she said, “You need to talk to Gary”. Ever the voice of reason, Gary talked to me about a man’s role in the family: to be a father, husband, and provider and how sometimes that can be hard on the family. Gary, shared with me all the times Nancy just packed up and went when he had a new opportunity. We talked for about an hour and the next morning I got up and told Don, “Let’s go!”. Don was so taken aback, “What did my dad say to you”?

I always admired this family. The closeness of three brothers, the integrity that each of them has, the support they offer one another and ultimately the unconditional love they share.

Never underestimate the impact you have on another persons life. The impact Gary has made on my life is monumental. Living with God first, living with integrity, and loving unconditionally and great generosity are just a few of the characteristics I have learned from this great man.

Gieka, you are missed but never forgotten. You will forever be the subject of great and funny stories around our family get togethers. Thank you for raising the most wonderful man on earth that I am blessed to call my husband, Don.