Robert Owen Jones

Robert Owen Jones, 97, son and grandson of United Brethren ministers, died Christmas Eve morning at Normandy Farms Estates in Blue Bell, PA, after a brief illness.

Born in Harrisburg, he moved to Annville at age one and back to Harrisburg at nine when his father took new pastoral positions. In his teens, due to his father’s hospitalization, he helped by delivering newspapers, greeting visitors at the Harrisburg Forum, and servicing Standard Duplicating machines. He graduated from William Penn High School and enlisted in the Navy at seventeen. He saw active duty in the Pacific aboard the destroyer, English (DD-696), as Petty Officer 3rd Class (Mailroom/sonar), thus began his love of travel.

After military service, he graduated from Pierce College and began work as an accountant at Mann and Company in Philadelphia. He then worked at Eastern College for several years where he met his wife of forty-eight years, Mary Barnosky Jones. She died in 2001. After Eastern, he worked at Tasty Baking Company as chief accountant for thirty-three years.

His love of travel took him to all fifty states and all the Canadian providences. He toured most of Europe, including Russia and Ukraine; the Middle East; parts of South and Central America; and the Caribbean. His love of all things Welsh led him to visit Wales three times and to be an active/generous supporter of local and national Welsh organizations for over sixty-five years. He attended most local and North American festivals during that time.

A born again Christian, Bob immersed himself in giving of his time and resources to the glory of God. He was an active member of many churches, most recently Valley Forge Baptist Temple for over twenty-five years, and supported many Christian charities and universities. He had an amazing memory and a unique knowledge of church histories. He was sharp and inquisitive until the very end.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews from his late sister, Elva Gertrude’s family, as well as his late wife, Mary’s family.

A Home Going service will be held at Valley Forge Baptist Temple, 616 S. Trappe Rd., Collegeville, PA 19426 on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 11 am. Visitation begins at 10 am. Interment will follow the service at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens in King of Prussia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Robert’s memory to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences to the family at www.bacchifh.com