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Robert “Bob” Roland Jones, 79, of Ludington, formerly of Sault Ste. Maire, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
Bob was born on July 28, 1945, the son of the late William and Bertha (Laundry) Jones. In 1963, he graduated from Soo High School. Shortly after graduation, he joined the United States Coast Guard, attending boot camp in Cape May, New Jersey. Upon completion he was stationed at the Group Office in Ludington. In April of 1964, while at Park Dairy (now House of Flavors), he met his future wife, Sara Benedict. On April 30, 1966, he married Sara. In 1967, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard and would start his career at Dow Chemical. In 1998, after 32 years, he retired from Dow Chemical as a safety supervisor.
Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and bowling. He once bowled a perfect game (300), which he was very proud of. Before retiring from Dow, he and Sara bought property in DeTour Village on the St Mary’s River where they enjoyed vacationing. In 2000, they eventually moved there, moving into their newly built beautiful home. While living there, he became the relief postmaster. Together, they would also enjoy wintering in Texas and Florida with their fifth-wheel. In 2006, he was diagnosed with cancer. He would endure three surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. He lived 18 years, instead of the estimated 18 months. He fought his battle with dignity and determination.
Bob and Sara moved back to Ludington in 2014, where Bob lived his last three years at Oakview Medical Care facility. The staff became family to Bob and Sara. He was also cared for by Harbor Hospice and were wonderful caring for Bob along with Oakview during his final months.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sara Jones; son, Robert A. (Jospeh) Jones of Houston; daughter, Jennifer (Brian) Gibson of Byron Center; grandson Jacob (Megan) Gibson; granddaughter, Chief Emily Gibson, and her daughter, Anna Lynn of Virginia; brother, Jerry (Judy) Jones of Pickford; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Jones of the Soo, and Jo Ann Smith of Ludington; brother-in-law, Avery (Jane) Benedict of Ludington; aunt Nina Bird of Ludington; and many nieces and nephews that he was very proud of.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bertha Jones; sisters, Fay (Robert) Carley of Pickford, Lois (Tom) Payment of DeTour/Escanaba, Dolly (Maurice) Coullard of the Soo; brother, Allen Jones of the Soo; in-laws, Avery and Leone Benedict; brother-in-law, Bruce Smith of Ludington; niece, Mavis DeVer; nephews, Tom Payment of the Soo, Raymond Payment of Escanaba, and Chuck Coleman of California.
Services for Bob are being planned for late spring of 2025.
Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com.
