Otis V. Jones' Obituary
Retired USAF Master Sergeant Otis V. Jones (October 16, 1929 - July 16, 2023)
Otis V. Jones (Germantown, Tennessee) passed away peacefully on July 16, 2023. He was brought into this world in Paraclifta, Sevier County, Arkansas on October 16, 1929, by Otis and Audie Jones (deceased). He was the fourth of 5 children. Predeceased by his mischievous brother Harmon and doting sisters Raye and Trudy. He is survived by his little sister Aquilla Litchford (Wesley), DeQueen, Arkansas.
Otis married Mary Aline Stanfill (proud sister to Neal and Reverend Donald Stanfill) on June 6, 1953. What a wonderful life they had together. She passed in December 2010 after 57+ years of marriage. He missed his wife and our mother tremendously over his last years, and often spoke of this omission in his life.
He is proudly survived by his two sons, Gary M. Jones (Germantown, TN.), and Scott A. Jones (wife N. Jean), of Lancaster, PA. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
His birth was two months after the start of the Great Depression. As the son of a sharecropper, early life was a hard scrabble. At the ripe age of 13 he was hired and strong enough to drive a team of mules to haul timber to the local mill. Although life during the depression was hard on the Jones family, all survived it and became stronger from it. In 1947, Otis joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. Unbeknownst to him, he would be in the inaugural class of the United States Air Force. Otis loved to travel! The Air Force took him and family to many bases in the U.S. with overseas stints in Japan (late 1940's), Spain (early 1960's), and Taiwan (1967-1968). As a 37-year-old Master Sergeant during the Vietnam War, he was the oldest of his air crew when flying C 130's into Vietnam, as the First Sergeant. He was looked upon for his sage advice and comfort during trying times, by his much younger peers. Otis was awarded 15 medals and ribbons during his USAF career. This included a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service for his stint in Taiwan/Vietnam. He was so proud to have served his country.
Otis retired from the Air Force after 21 proud years of service. He went on to work and retire (as the Branch 60 Finance Supervisor) for Sperry New Holland Farm Equipment Mfg. Otis wasn't one to sit around, after his second retirement he worked at Community Bank of Germantown and Bank of Bartlett as a Compliance Officer. Finally, he retired at the age of 70 to spend time with his wife and hound dogs, JoJo, Frandy, and Roxy (not all at the same time!). Otis was a devout Christian. He was a member of Covenant Baptist Church in Collierville, TN. and presided over Adult Bible Study at Kirby Woods Baptist Church for many years.
Although he will be greatly missed, we (his sons and extended family) acknowledge Otis is in a much better place with his wife, parents, brother, sisters, in-laws, and many of his friends who passed before him. He had a great life and all that can be said is thank you so much and a JOB WELL DONE!
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Mausoleum Rotunda. Visitation will be held an hour prior to services, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, in the Peabody Visitation Suite.
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