Obituary
Travels and Tales of a not so common Man1
Jerry Jones was the ultimate adventurer and traveler, taking his family on many exciting trips . He started out ,after he got out of the Navy, with a desire to see more of the world. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and raised in Wichita , Kansas He found the right traveling companion in his wife Judy. They married in Wichita and moved immediately to Bartlesville, OK. There with a partner, he opened a Pizza Hut. Oklahoma was not far enough Ready to move on They soon were on their way back to Wichita . Jerry added computer skills to his ” do” list . There a daughter Molly was born, and then a son Steve They quickly showed signs of the love of travel with many new family adventures to watch .
Jerry tried bull-riding, sky-diving and a little photography. A job with TWA moved the family, to North Kansas City, Mo . which was our ticket to fly to Europe’ visiting 7 countries. We got half-price tickets . Then on the road to Nashville, Tn., for new career with KFC. Next, his restless spirit took us to Florida and into sailing. With good partners, more Pizza Huts , which later gave us some travel time to South and Central America, We even called Bolivia our home for a year and a half, That is a whole other adventure story.
In Florida he refurbished a 19 ‘ wooden sailboat, Next, we bought a a 36’ Hallberg-rassy sailboat, EQUINOX ‘which we cruised from Tampa Bay into the Gulf of Mexico, along the coast stopping at Tulum then east to Guatemala, eating our fill of shrimp and lobster along the way. We were ready for a bigger sailboat for our family, The Peter Rabbit , a CSY 44 cruising ,live- aboard sailboat, we called home for15 years.
We bought our dream boat in Mallorca, Spain , sailed the Mediterranean, crossed the Atlantic and slowly cruised through the Caribbean, spending time on each of the islands . It was a beautiful experience sailing, then renting a car and driving around the islands meeting some of the people and even taking in a church service or two. Back on USA soil we worked a little, spent family time and called Asheville , NC home. On a whim we bought a 27 ” Parker Dawson , navigating the Intra Coastal Waterway from Maine to Florida, for one last adventure, to end our sailing days On another whim we traveled by car .across the Canadian Highway and up into Alaska, Magnificent !
A new adventure gave Jerry the chance to travel with Steve, he flew to Japan where he met up with our son Steve, who was teaching English. They traveled by train to Mongolia and Russia. He loved telling the stories from that trip
He had a map of the world in his head and tried to visit every country he could. What a life! Most people can only dream such a life.
“Visualize and Achieve”, Not bad for a kid from Kansas!
Fly free my husband and traveling companion
Judy's mom, Dolores, was our long-time neighbor, in Wichita.
My payers are with you
I am truly sorry for your loss, Judy.