Rod Jones

Rod Jones, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 29 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin on December 15, 1926 to Ellsworth “Penny” Jones and Alice Cahoon Jones. He is survived by his wife Mary Voell Jones and four daughters: Margaret (Mike Bertone), Elizabeth (Dave Shaffer), Katherine Lawless (Chris) and Emily Wells (Brian). He was a devoted Grandpa to John, Lauren and Olivia Lawless and Caroline, Sarah and Elizabeth Wells. Rod grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and was an avid sailor who loved the water from an early age. This passion continued with his wife and 4 daughters (weekend sails after church). Rod received a diploma from Racine’s Horlick High School after he enlisted in the Navy (on the last day before he was 18) December 14, 1944. He served as a Naval Corpsman until his honorable discharge in June 1946. He graduated from Grinnell College (Iowa) in June 1950 and in August began a 20-year employment with Racine’s Western Printing and Lithographing within the Personnel Department. He met his wife Mary in 1956 when she was hired as a Juvenile Editor with Whitman, a subsidiary of Western. They married in September 1957 and began a 60-year partnership through job changes and four daughters. Rod’s Western career took them to both Hannibal, Missouri and later Cambridge, Maryland where he served as Employee Relations Director. In 1971 Rod accepted the Presidency of the Printing Industries of Florida and moved to Orlando (PIF). PIF thrived under his leadership and he was elected to the Board of the Printing Industry of America, Master Printers of America and the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE); Rod then became President of FSAE. Rod retired from PIF on October 15, 1994, and then offered a consulting service; Rod Jones and Associates. Rod demonstrated his genuine interest in helping others throughout his career and personal life. His commitments outside his job included President of the company men’s chorus, President of the Personnel Group of the Racine’s Manufacture Association; Board Member of the Yacht Club and the Printing Industry of Maryland; President of the United Fund in Cambridge, MD and a commitment to the YMCA (as a board member and officer) that stretched over his entire career. Rod also embraced a strong faith in the Lord and shared his love and fellowship with his family, friends and his community. His contributions included Zion United Methodist Church in Cambridge, Deacon at the Presbyterian Church in Hannibal. In Maitland, Florida he was a Presbyterian Deacon and member of the Pastoral Committee at Congregational Church of Winter Park. Rod had many hobbies but loved to garden as demonstrated by a yard ablaze with pentas, impatiens, begonias, geraniums and roses. But his true passion was his love of the water as he enjoyed sailing, fishing and sharing that love with others. Many knew him as “Captain Rod” from a joyful 15 years with the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour. In these later years he became a watercolor painter of nautical scenes and all of his family members treasure his gifts of art. Oh, how we miss you Husband, Father and Friend, but we know our Captain Rod has clear weather, a good wind, and is sailing for home where we all long to be. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in the Memory of Rod Jones to www.Parkinsons.org.

Rod Jones

December 15, 1926 - June 29, 2018