Charles Lavisca Jones, Jr., 96, of Huntsville passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 16, 2017.  Charlie, as he was known to many of his friends and family, was born on January 2, 1921 in Sylacauga, AL. A 1939 graduate of Sylacauga High School, he joined the Navy in 1942 and served on the destroyer USS Lansdowne in the South Pacific.  He participated in carrying the Japanese delegation aboard the Lansdowne to the USS Missouri for the surrender signing in September 1945.  Upon his return to Sylacauga, he out-processed through the draft board in Sylacauga and in so doing met the love of his life, Carrie Lourine Kelley, who was employed there.  Thus began a 49 year romance which resulted in two children and ultimately two granddaughters and seven great grandchildren.

In 1963, Charlie accepted a position with the US Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL, ultimately retiring after 44 years of service.  During his long career, he was known for mentoring new, mostly younger employees, making them feel welcome and secure as they began their new careers.  After retirement, he devoted himself to his family: caring for Carrie when she developed Alzheimer's; helping his children and grandchildren in innumerable ways; even taking his great-grandchildren to Chuck-e-Cheez when he was in his 80's.  After his bout with pneumonia left hi greatly weakened, he entered Tut Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville, where he entertained the other patients and staff with his always friendly and upbeat personality.

He is preceded in death by his brothers Cecil, Luther (Buddy), and Herbert Jones and sisters Mary Jones Pounds and Bettye Ruth Jones Piette.  He is survived by a brother, Billy Frank Jones of Sylacauga; a son Charles L. Jones III (Chuck) of Huntsville; a daughter, Jennifer Jones Sutherland (Bill) of Athens, AL; granddaughters Leslie Jones Edwards (Keff) of Huntsville and Catherine Jones de Frances (Jason) of Tabacundo, Ecuador; six great grandchildren and one on the way.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 3:00pm with a visitation prior from 1:00-3:00pm at Spry Funeral Home.  Interment will follow at Huntsville Memory Gardens. 

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