Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, John Thomas Jones III passed away on Sept. 6, 2020, in Melbourne, Florida, following a long illness. He was 79.

Born in Chicago, Illinois as the second son to Laura and Charles Jones, John was a self-made businessman who overcame adversity to create to a successful business and life that afforded him the opportunity pursue his dreams .

When John was six, his mother brought her two sons to California. In 1957, at the age of 17, John dropped out of school (he later earned a GED and attended college) and enlisted in the Navy.  It was there that he developed a love of the sea and boating.

At 21 age, John was honorably discharged from the Navy and married Jacquelyn (Jackie) Jones (Crouch). John and Jackie had three children, Judy, Janet and John Thomas Jones IV. John sr.  and Jackie were married for 25 years. During this time, John pursued several professions before opportunity presented to join the meat trade as a butcher. A job that offered indoor work, 40 hours a week, benefits, and the security to raise his family. The meat industry led to a career that would span the rest of his working life. Working for several grocery chains before joining Holiday Markets in Northern California as a butcher, he would go on to become Director of Meat and Seafood Operations before leaving in 1995 to open his own business, JCK Food Marketing. This final chapter afforded John the opportunity to refine his craft and brought much personal satisfaction and success.

In 1999, John and his wife of 29 years, Cathy Bolt-Jones, moved to Vancouver, WA where they met and made many lifelong friends. With the success of JCK Food Marketing, and his wife's career, John pursued his dream to own a boat large enough for long ocean voyages. The "Glory B," a 43-foot Ocean Alexander, took him and a rotating crew of friends on multiple cruises from Vancouver, Washington as far north to the Campbell River in British Columbia and south to Acapulco ,Mexico and beyond. In 2011 he embarked on his final voyage with the Glory B, cruising down the Columbia River, south along the pacific coast, through the Panama Canal, north past the Cayman islands and Cuba before arriving in Cape Canaveral, Florida. John always said "boaters don't sit at the dock." John and Cathy moved to Florida in 2017.

John was a consummate foodie, even before being a foodie was a thing. He loved great food and was a great cook, who loved nothing more than to feed people. Sitting at his table, meant listening to John's entertaining stories.  He pointed out the silly and the obvious in life. He made us laugh. His friends and family loved time spent around the table with John.

John wore many hats and held many titles during his full life. He was very proud of his successful career,  his tenure as commodore of the Vancouver Yacht Club, but he was most proud of being Cathy's husband, dad to his three children, Judy Fish (Tony), Janet Tufts (Robert) and John (Jake) Jones (Shellie) and Poppy to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Due to COVID restrictions, there will be a celebration of life in Vancouver, Washington next year.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to your favorite food pantry charity or to the Salvation Army.