James D. Jones

James Denval Jones, 99, passed away peacefully at Lakeview Village in Lenexa, KS, on Sunday, April 30, 2023.  Jim was born on October 19, 1923 in Clinton, SC, to Jesse B. (McCollum) Jones and Loyd D. Jones.  He grew up in Pickens, SC.  As a child, Jim developed an interest in radio, electronics, and technology—interests that he pursued throughout his life.  As teenagers, Jim and his brother, Weldon, made extra money repairing radios in Pickens.

In 1943, Jim joined the Navy.  Because of his experience with radio and passion for electronics, he was trained in the then-secret technology of radar.  He served as First Class Petty Officer, Radarman, in the Combat Information Center (CIC) on destroyers and cruisers in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.  In the Atlantic, his tours included anti-submarine missions and convoy escort duty, including escorting President Roosevelt to the Yalta conference.  In the Pacific, Jim’s ship was involved in several actions, including the invasion of Okinawa.

In August 1944, Jim married Louise M. Sweeney, whom he met while taking radar training in Chicago, IL.  After the war, Jim and Louise settled in Chicago, where they had four children.  In 1948, Jim began a personally fulfilling 34-year career with the AT&T corporation, as an engineer on long-distance telephone networks.  He transferred to the Kansas City office in 1955, and the family settled in Overland Park, KS.  Jim retired from AT&T as an Engineering Staff Supervisor in 1982.  After retirement, Jim continued to pursue his interests in the latest technologies by starting a desktop computer leasing company at a time when relatively few people had their own computers.  Jim remained an active computer buff and citizen of the internet well into his ‘90s.

In 2002, Louise passed away, and in 2007, Jim retired to Lakeview Village in Lenexa, KS, where he quickly became involved taking photographs and writing articles for the community’s publications.  Jim made many friends at Lakeview, where he is deeply missed.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Louise, his daughter, Kathleen M. Helming, and his brother, Julius Weldon Jones.  He is survived by his son, James R. (Beth) Jones of Littleton, CO; daughters, Sharon Jones-Christie of Tucson, AZ, and Denise M. Jones of Littleton, CO; son-in-law, Bill Helming of Olathe, KS; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.    

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 5th at Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203.  Burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Lenexa, KS.

Memorial donations in Jim’s name can be made to Catholic Community Health Hospice at www.catholiccommunityhealth.org.

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