David Paul Jones' Obituary
David Paul Jones, A Great Father, My Dad
By: Daughter, Pamela Jones
December 22, 2020
How do I begin to see through the sadness to write a good obituary for someone I love? The grieving never ends. Yet, I have to come up with an obituary to describe the best father anyone could ever ask for. How do I begin? How does someone describe the greatest person that they have ever known? So many thoughts and emotions are flooding my brain. I cannot possibly describe the greatest person to ever live, words cannot express the emotions and memories that flood my mind, but I have to try. My dad, David Paul Jones, 69, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed Sunday, December 20th. He passed away from a long term, terminal injury resulting from an accident that occurred while at home one night, March 10, 2020. Just like how he dealt with all of his life’s experiences, he managed his injury with honor and strength until the end. He wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible. My dad, a retired military war veteran after 20 years of service from the Army, retired as a special agent from the division of criminal investigation. At the beginning of his time, service, and dedication to the military, he served in the Vietnam war where he earned one of his most honorable decorations, a Bronze Star Medal. People who knew him never knew of his accomplishments. He was a humble man, not one to draw attention to himself. It was his duty and honor to serve, and he served well. Following his retirement from the military, he retired from the United States Postal Service as a postal carrier. During his decades of military service, my dad completed a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal Law, while minoring in psychology. My dad was my hero and role model. I was able to follow in his footsteps and I completed a Bachelor of Science degree just prior to him passing. I am very grateful he was there for me and supported me over the past years. I know he was proud of me for finally finishing my schooling, after years of pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, and obtaining that degree just days before he passed. Aside from being survived by his life partner Debi, he leaves behind two children (myself, and my brother Kenny), four grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, two sisters, as well as his cat. On his final day he was surrounded by his family who loved and adored him. No funeral services were provided, dad would not have liked that. He was more of a “celebration of life” type of guy, which I hope to be able to provide him with that by having a gathering of family and friends sometime soon. The last words I said to him was that I loved him, and that we all loved him very much. I hoped he finds peace and any suffering he may have endured was over. I said that I would miss him, but I was not saying good-bye. I said one day we will be together again.
Love always,
Pam
My dad showed me how to love without ever saying it, in his own way, actions spoke louder than those three words. No matter what, he was there supporting me and always a phone call away. We would go long periods of time without talking or seeing each other, but he was always there. I joined the military to be like my dad, I served my Country and raised a family. I did not come home as much as I wished I had, because I knew he was always there. Dad taught me right from wrong and instilled the importance of taking care of others and helping where others needed. When I was younger, I was always told, "you are just like your father," and I would disagree even though I knew it was true. As I got older, whenever I was told I was just like my father I stood proud and would say that is not a bad thing. I love my dad, the strongest and truest man I have ever known. He lived life on his terms, the way he wanted to live.
I Love You,
Kenny
I met David Thanksgiving Day 1969 while he was stationed at Fort Devens, an Army base in Ayer, MA. I was 17 and he was 18. We kept in tough from time to time over the years and reconnected 5 years ago. After trying the long distance "thing" between Ohio and Florida for a bit, he said " this is dumb, just come to Florida and move in with me". ( David sure didn't like the northern winters so he wasn't about to leave "his" Florida.) I always teased him that he got a 2 for 1 deal as my golden retriever Miss Maizey was part of the package. Oh, how he loved her too.
I had the extreme heartfelt joy and pleasure of being Life Partners although far too short.
Our hearts are so sad and broken but knowing his struggles following his injury are now over, gives us comfort.
I love you Jonesey (AKA Big Guy)
Debi (AKA Hunny Bunny)
What’s your fondest memory of David?
What’s a lesson you learned from David?
Share a story where David's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with David you’ll never forget.
How did David make you smile?