JONES, USAF RETIRED, Roy Leon

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Roy Leon Jones, Major, USAF Retired, passed away, at age 82, on Oct. 24, 2014, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He joined the Air Force in 1951, and spent his career as a tactical fighter pilot. He flew three tours of duty in South Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 19 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the RVN Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star. Roy began his teaching career at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Prescott, Arizona in 1980. During his 14 years at E-RAU, he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Professional Aviation and earned his MBA at the University of Phoenix. He retired in 1994 and was named Professor Emeritus. During the next 10 years, Roy and his wife enjoyed country living a few miles from King, North Carolina, and worked together to produce lovely psalteries and music. They returned to Payson, Arizona in 2004 and moved to Scottsdale in 2011. Roy was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother. He will be missed by his wife, Nancy Patterson Jones; his extended family; and valued friends. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 at Bethel Baptist Church, 6901 E. Horizon Lane, Prescott Valley, Arizona. Interment with military honors to follow at Heritage Memorial Park in Dewey, Arizona. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Information provided by survivors.