Walter Raymond Jones

Long time former resident of Oxnard, Walter Raymond Jones, age 89, of Grants Pass, Oregon, died Thursday, November 13, 2008 at his home.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, 2:00, November 25, 2008 at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo, CA. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Oregon Trail Chapter, 1311 NW 21st Avenue, Portland, OR 97209 or to Right To Life, Josephine County, P O Box 1916, Grants Pass, OR 97528.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.since1928hull.com

Walter was born January 18, 1919 in Bethel, Connecticut to Grier Ockett Jones & Lina May (Cogswell) Jones. He was raised in New Preston, Connecticut.

He joined the U S Navy at age 17 and earned the rank of E-6, Chief Petty Officer Seabee.
His service included:
1957- 'wintered over' in Antarctica with a scientific research team at Little America during 'Operation Deep Freeze'

1960- Using his amateur radio skills he was the first to establish emergency communications from Agadir, Morocco after a devastating earthquake that killed 15,000 people. His efforts were rewarded by commendation from King Mohammed V.

1962- Returned to Antarctica for radio communications at McMurdo Sound. He kept families in touch with the men on duty there and became known as 'The old man of the ice'.

As well as serving in the South Pacific during WWII, he also served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam.

In 1968 he retired from 23 years of active military service and served for 10 years in Civil Service for the Navy, retiring in 1978.

He was a member of the VFW in Port Hueneme, California and Oregon. He was also a member of the Fleet Reserve Association in Port Hueneme and American Legion Post 28.

He enjoyed being a Ham radio operator and was a NASCAR fan. He also enjoyed bowling, bingo, poetry and reading.

On August 3, 1940 in Plymouth, Massachusetts he married the former Dorothy Mae Magee, who preceded him in death in 1981.

Survivors include his two daughters, Anita Diane Laspina of Tracy, California; and Wanda Lee Curtis of Sacramento, California; his son, Kenneth Grier Jones of Sparks, Nevada; a sister, Mary Malumphy of New Milford, Connecticut; a brother, Robert Jones of Little Rock, Arkansas; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.