Delbert Warren Jones Jr.

Delbert Warren Jones Jr., 98, passed away on Sunday December 27, 2020 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born on September 4, 1922 to Delbert Warren Jones Sr. and Hazel O. Davis in Clarksburg, Illinois. He lived in a modest farmhouse where his father and mother were teachers, and his father also farmed.
During his junior year of high school, Del decided he wanted to be an Electrical Engineer, and work for General Electric. Unfortunately, there was no money for college, and he was awarded a scholarship to State Teacher’s College in Charleston, IL, where he planned to study to become a science teacher. Miraculously, due to an oil strike on his grandmother Davis’ farm, he received a scholarship to the University of Illinois (as a needy child of a WWI veteran), which allowed him to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer.
He met Ilene Lavonne Husman in his junior year at the University of Illinois. He earned his degree in Electrical Engineering in 1943 with honors. He and Ilene were married in April of 1943, and Delbert began working for General Electric that same year. He was then commissioned into the Navy in June of 1944, attended MIT Radar School, and was promoted to Lieutenant (JG) as Electronics Officer. He completed his active military service as Airborne Radar/Countermeasures Monitor attached to the USS Haven at the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. After he left the Navy, Del continued working for General Electric in a variety of capacities. His favorite time at General Electric was as a project engineer on the early rocket programs, and he was involved with Hermes Project test flights at White Sands, NM. He later shifted into jet engine sales, and then military electronics marketing, and finally retired in 1986 while in Omaha, Nebraska, later moving to Albuquerque, NM.
He and his wife enjoyed many different activities including hiking, golf, genealogy research, visiting with their grandchildren, and traveling. They were active members of Hoffmantown Baptist Church for over 30 years, where Del served in several different capacities.
Delbert was predeceased by his wife Ilene in 2011. He is survived by his brother, Lyle Dean Jones of Shelbyville, Illinois; his 3 children, Carol (James Wilson) of Golden, MO, Kathy (Matthew Taylor) of Albuquerque, NM, and Larry, of Grand Junction, CO. He had 8 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 12 great-great grandchildren. His legacy was one of love for his family, integrity, and generosity. He will truly be missed.

Del will be laid to rest with his wife at Santa Fe National Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to The Navigators at navigators.com in Delbert’s name.