Wilbur E. Jones

Wilbur Eugene Jones died at Harbor Chase Assisted Living on August 7, 2016 of natural causes. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Rachel “Rickey” Jones. He is survived by his two sons, Doug Jones (Stevey) and Bruce Jones (Julie), grandsons Alex Jones and Brad Jones, all of Tallahassee, and nephews Archie Jones of Niceville, FL., Ken Jones of Coconut Grove, FL., Brent Canaday of Castle Rock, CO., Chuck Sherman and Jim Sherman of Boulder, CO., and nieces Lynne Koelliker of Tallahassee and Sue Martin of Boulder, CO. Private family services are planned. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at his residence at 423 Audubon Drive in Tallahassee. Wilbur Jones was born on a boat on the Miami River on April 17, 1912. At age 4, his family moved to Cuba where his grandfather opened the first ice factory in Havana. After establishing the factory, the family moved back to Florida and soon settled in Coral Gables. Mr. Jones attended public school in Coral Gables until attending high school at Silver Bay Academy on Lake George in up-state New York. He then attended Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. After his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Jones served as the golf pro at the West Flagler Golf and Country Club in Miami. During the depression, he worked with the Federal Government as a Safety Engineer on veteran’s projects in the Florida panhandle. He also worked with the Federal Emergency Relief Administration in the Florida Keys and survived the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane in rail car on Upper Matecumbe. Before World War II he also worked with the Federal Emergency Relief Administration in Jacksonville and with Florida Power and Light in Miami in their Safety Department and Claims Department. During World War II, Mr. Jones served as an intelligence officer and flew combat missions in the United States Army Air Corps with a B-26 Group and Wing in the European Theater. After World War II, Mr. Jones worked as an estate planner, real estate developer, and as an investment adviser in Miami. He was recalled into service during the Korean War and retired as a reserve officer in the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel after the Korean conflict. In 1955, Mr. Jones came to Tallahassee with Governor Leroy Collins’ administration and served as Chairman of the State Road Department. He later worked with the Collins’ administration heading up planning of the Interstate Highway System. Mr. Jones and his family stayed in Tallahassee after serving with the Collins administration. He voluntarily worked as President of the Tallahassee Chapter of the Red Cross Association and created the first local Red Cross facilities in Tallahassee. Mr. Jones served as President of Apollo Beach during the development of the Apollo Beach community. He also created Wilbur Jones Insurance Agency and began work as a lobbyist until retiring in his 9th decade. He initiated the effort and successfully passed the current Florida law requiring sustained state funding for highway beautification throughout the state. Until his passing, he continued to work on highway beautification projects across the state. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com 850-385-2193)

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Wilbur E. Jones

April 17, 1912 - August 7, 2016