Robert M. Jones

Robert M. Jones

1921-2017

Our wonderful, loving father and grandfather, Bob Jones, passed away May 7th, 2017 at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 96 years old.

Bob was born in Independence, Kansas in 1921 to Robert and Mae Jones. He was the only boy with five sisters. His family moved to Albuquerque in July of 1928 when he was seven years old. Bob’s father was in the grocery business for many years in Kansas and Albuquerque.

Having lived in Albuquerque for many years, Bob experienced many changes and watched the city grow. Blessed with an incredible memory, he was a living source of information of the history of the town he loved.

Bob attended school at Eugene Field Elementary and Armijo Elementary, Lincoln and Washington Junior High, and was a member of the Class of 1939 at Albuquerque High School where he played football and was a member of the track team.

He worked in the Santa Fe Railroad Shops for several years. In 1942 he married Dorothy (Dotty) Gallaher. Affectionately nicknamed “BBob” by Dorothy in the early years of their marriage, it was a name that continued with grandchildren and great-grandchildren years later. During World War II, he was a member of the Army Air Corp stationed in Long Beach, California and Shanghai, China. He was a member of the airplane inspection team for the former “Flying Tigers” Squadron in the Burma- China -India Theater. After his return to the States, he and Dorothy lived in Albuquerque’s South Valley where he worked for Martin Brothers Plumbing Company until he hurt his back lifting a cast iron bathtub. He then turned back to the military and the newly formed Air Force which gave him an exciting 30 year career of working, traveling, meeting new people and old friends while enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done wherever he was stationed.

Bob retired in 1972 as a CMSGT in the Air Force after being stationed at Kirtland AFB (New Mexico) where his daughters, Cathy and Bobbie, were born, Etain AB (France), Luke AFB (Arizona) where his daughter, Janet, was born, Ramstein AB (Germany), Pope AFB (North Carolina), Lindsey Air Station (Germany), Webb AFB (Texas), and Luke AFB (Arizona) for a second time. He retired there in 1972.

While stationed at Kirtland AFB, Bob spent a year from December 1951-December 1952 on Eniwetok Island in the Pacific as part of the work force for the testing of the first hydrogen bomb. He spent much of his early Air Force career working in the Nuclear Test Group.

Returning to Albuquerque after his Air Force retirement, Bob worked for the GSA Motor Pool until finally making his retirement permanent. After 47 wonderful years of marriage, and traveling with Bob and her girls as a military family, Dorothy passed away in 1990. In 1991, Bob married a dear family friend from Arizona, Dorotha Jarnagin. They resided in Phoenix until Dorotha’s passing in 2000. Bob loved the Arizona heat and sun and enjoyed his life there. He returned once again to Albuquerque. Eventually, he and Janet bought a home together there. They lived together for the past 12 and a half years.

Bob enjoyed playing golf, reading, all types of history - especially anything about World War I and World War II, traveling, gardening, sunbathing, music, and more than anything - being with his family. He was an accomplished artist in drawing, painting, making jewelry, building model airplanes, and in later years, ( while legally blind) building replicas of New Mexico Mission Churches. Bob loved to play volleyball! He did this on intramural teams everywhere he was stationed in the service. He excelled in this sport and helped win team championships many times.

Blessed with a keen memory and a great sense of humor, Bob loved talking with people and sharing many stories of his experiences in life. He delighted us with his memories of growing up in Albuquerque in the late 1920’s, 1930’s and early 1940’s. He was a gentleman and a fine Christian - generous to all and always there for each of us with love, encouragement, and concern. We know that he is with Jesus and can once again see, and once again he is able to walk!

Bob was preceded in death by his father and mother; his five sisters: Venus, Vivian, Dot, Mickey, Lou Ann; and both of his wives.

He is survived by his children: Cathy Sheyka (Jeff), Bobbie Swaim (Don), Janet, and his dog, Kitty; grandchildren: Molly Donaldson (Jason), Chris Dodge (Allyson), Jeremy Dodge (Carrie), Daniel Swaim, and Katie Swaim; great-grandchildren: Autumn Donaldson, Gage Dodge, Aiden Dodge, and Judah Dodge.; nieces: Dot Ann, Nancy, Shari, Marty, Debbie, Kristen, Charlene, Nettie, and Sandy; nephew: Fred.; step-children: Kay Thompson (Charlie), Larry Jarnagin (Joan), and Don Jarnagin ; extended family: Cristina, Martin, Michael, Santiago, Chloe, Mateo, and Hannah.

A big thank you to Bob’s daytime caregiver for the past one and a half years, Robert Lynch, for his wonderful care and love for our Dad.

Thank you Legacy Hospice, Nurse Heather and Nicole: Interim Healthcare and their caregivers for Dad these past two weeks: Brooke,Maria, Denise, Minnie, Demetria, and Tanya. A special heartfelt thanks to Denise and Marc for their loving care and service during Dad’s passing.

In Dad’s own words not long ago as he talked about himself:

“He loved his family. He did his duty.”

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held Friday, May 12, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel, 1726 Girard Blvd. NE in Albuquerque.