Charles Martin Jones

JONES, CHARLES MARTIN - Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 5, 2013 at Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa, California. Charles, known to all as Chuck, was 96 years old. Charles Martin Jones is survived by two daughters; Sally Foley and Janet Ramatici, both of Petaluma, two sons-in-law; Ned Foley and Gary Ramatici, five grandchildren; Sarah Foley Gorley (Laurence) of Manhattan Beach, Katie Foley Knueppel (John) of Petaluma, Daniel Foley, Sophia Ramatici and Mary Ramatici all of San Francisco, four great-grandchildren; Emily Gorley, William Gorley, Bodie Knueppel and Harry Knueppel. Chuck's wife, Jane Jones, of 64 years ago, passed away in 2009. Chuck was born March 31, 1917, in Washington Court House, Ohio and raised with his brother Paul (Maureen, deceased) in the small town by his loving parents, Walter and Ida Jones. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Degree in Business, a membership in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and serving as Captain of the college golf team, Chuck moved to Florida. He worked for the Miami and Fort Lauderdale Chambers of Commerce as Membership Chairman until the start of World War II. Chuck enlisted in the US Navy as a leader in Gene Tunney's Physical Fitness Program where he met his wife, Jane DeWitt, also serving in the Navy. They married in Ames, Iowa on November 1, 1944. Chuck and Jane both resigned from the Navy upon the war's completion as full Lieutenants. and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where they raised their family. Chuck began his very successful career in Sales, eventually becoming Vice President of Sales for a large mid-western hardware company, Hager Hinge Company. After twenty-five years in St. Louis, they moved to San Juan Capistrano in Orange County CA and Chuck started his own business and continued his success in sales for many years. Chuck loved interacting with people of all ages and walks of life. Therefore, working in sales was more of an avocation than occupation for Chuck and he continued his work into his 80's. Along with his family, friends, travel and social gatherings, Chuck was passionate about golf. He was a gifted golfer who began swinging the club in Washington Court House, where he served as the head caddy at the local country club while growing up. Chuck was as enthusiastic about educating new golfers, as he was his own game. Chuck and Jane moved to Santa Rosa, California to be near their family in 2004. He loved spending time with his family and friends, a good laugh, meeting new people, a challenging game of golf and spending time outdoors in the sunshine. Chuck will be remembered as a true gentleman, an eternal optimist and a "class act" with an engaging personality. Chuck will be missed by the many people whose lives he enriched daily. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the many wonderful caring people who work and live at Spring Lake Village and have been so important to Chuck and his family. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Celebration on Friday, June 14, 2013 at 3pm at Spring Lake Village (5555 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa CA, 95409). The family prefers memorial contributions be made to the Chuck and Jane Jones Education Grant at Petaluma Educational Foundation (200 Douglas Street, Petaluma, CA, 94952).