James Jones OBITUARY

James (Jim) Ronald Jones, 89, San Jose resident, beloved husband and father of five, died peacefully of natural causes on the eve of Father’s Day, June 15, 2024. Jim was born in Visalia, California on April 17, 1935 to Ralph and Annella Jones, who later moved the family to Burlingame, California during World War II. During his teen years, Jim thrived as a Boy Scout, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from San Mateo High School in 1953, Jim went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he also served on the Spirit Squad while working various jobs to pay his way through college. During his university years, Jim participated in the Air Force ROTC program, hoping to become an Air Force pilot and eventually fly for a commercial carrier. After his imperfect eyesight disqualified him from pilot training, he made the choice to pursue a career in business.During his early career years, Jim was employed with United Airlines at San Francisco International Airport and later found his career calling as a salesman: first with Addressograph-Multigraph and later with Xerox Corporation. He served 24 years at Xerox, earning many top sales awards and a promotion to National Account Manager before going on to hold key positions in marketing and finance as well. Jim enjoyed the challenge of creative endeavors, from home remodeling and landscaping projects to making drawings, etchings, and oil paintings. He owned and managed a small apartment complex in Santa Cruz for many years, doing most of the building maintenance work himself. Jim loved the outdoors. His favorite family hiking and camping destinations included Lake Pillsbury, the Trinity Alps, Pinecrest Lake, and Lake Tahoe. He also built a beautiful sailboat, made of mahogany, which he enjoyed sailing with his familyover the San Francisco Bay, Monterey Bay, and his favorite mountain lakes. Jim also volunteered his time with Boy Scout Troop 80 in Mountain View during the years his sons were active in the Scouts. Throughout his life Jim made many friends, was well-liked, and renowned for his sense of humor. He lived a successful life both professionally and personally, always working on ways to grow towards his better self. He died as a cherished husband and father surrounded by the love, presence, and prayers of his family. He will be dearly missed.Jim is predeceased by his sister Sharon Jones and survived by his loving wife Diane; close family friend and former wife Ann Bunn;sister Linda Simmons; children Carl Jones, David (Jackie) Jones, Laura (Sam) Fogleman, Sarah Jones, and Michael Jones; grandchildren Joshua Jones, Lauren Jones, Alexander (Lisa) Fogleman, Briana Fogleman, and Carolyn Fogleman; and great-grandchildren Natalie Fogleman and Sierra Fogleman. Friends and family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass to be held in San Jose at 11 AM on Saturday, July 13 at St. Anthony Catholic Historic Church on Bertram Road.