Jones, George Oliver, ENC

It is our sad duty to inform you all of the passing of a Shipmate. George Oliver Jones, formerly of Upper Pattagansett Road, East Lyme, and most recently living at Atria Assisted Living in Waterford, passed away at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Friday, April 25, 2014. George was 94 years old and was predeceased by his wife, Verna, in 2009, and oldest son, Matthew, in 2000.

He was born on Nov. 25, 1919, in Philadelphia, Miss., the son of George Henry and Margaret Elizabeth Dennis Jones. George Married Veronica Barbara Sacharko at Sacred Heart Church in New Britain on Dec. 8, 1945, and moved to East Lyme in 1949. In 1921, Georges' family moved to Monroe County, Ark., where he grew up helping his family farm and attending local schools. In 1937.
 
George moved his family to East Lyme in 1949, while serving aboard the USS Sea Robin (SS 407). After the move, he became one of the original members of the Flanders Fire Department and became president of the Flanders School PTO, organizing construction of the school's first playground. In 1953, while serving as an instructor at the Diesel Engineering School on the Submarine Base, George was the first president of the East Lyme Little League. With all volunteers they built Buecher Park, which was the Little League baseball field in front of what is now the Industrial Park. When the town built new fields to replace Buecher Park, one of the fields was named "George Jones Field" in recognition of his efforts, and he became known around town as the "Father of the East Lyme Little League."

In the 1960s, he received an award as East Lyme Citizen of the Year. George retired from the Navy as an ENC(SS) in 1956, and worked for the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics for the next 25 years, retiring in 1981 as a supervisor over a technical group in the nuclear design department. After retiring from Electric Boat, he became a full-time real estate broker of the George Jones Real Estate Agency, retiring in 1993.

He loved going to McCook's Beach in Niantic throughout his life. He frequently brought the family like a typical beach enthusiast when he was younger. In most resent years up to this winter, he still went regularly to watch the people and feed the "gulls." He also became involved with lecturing at East Lyme High School, working closely with the social studies and political science staff, feeling that history should be an essential part every student's education. He also took part in veteran activities at East Lyme Middle School and West Side Middle School in Groton. After over 12 years of research, he finished writing his autobiography. It has now been published and is entitled "JONESY: For God, Country, and Something to Eat.".

George joined us at USSVI Groton Base in 1997 and was a Life and Holland Club member. He was also a member of Saint Agnes Church, a life member and past commander of Kari Hill Post VFW and district commander, a member of the East Lyme Veterans Council, a life member of Submarine Veterans of WWII, a member and past president of Branch 237 Fleet Reserve Association, and a member of Tinker-Turner Post American Legion.

Submarine war patrols:
USS Plunger (SS-179) - 7th
USS Pogy (SS-260) - 3rd through 6th