7/3/2021
March 31, 1933 – July 3, 2021
The Top 3 for Tom….Anything Penn State, Golf, and His 1957 Chris Craft Boat!
And Then….His Wonderful Family! (And we’re ok with that!) J
A Celebration of Life is Planned for Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Furman Funeral Home
Visitation from 11am – 12pm – Service to Follow
Thomas Jones, 88, born in Philadelphia, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Saturday, July 3rd.
He was the son of Owen and Kathryn Jones and brother to Barbara (Swartley), and Kaffy (Cecil).
Tom graduated from Upper Darby High School and attended Penn State University. He spent 4 years in the United States Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller. He joined the CAA/FAA in 1957 and served the next 17 years at Philadelphia International Airport as a Tower and Radar Controller. In 1973, he served as an instructor and supervisor at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK. During this time, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Aviation Business Management. In 1978, he transferred to Syracuse, NY as a Facility Supervisor. From 1985 to 1989 he served as the Air Traffic Manager at the Lancaster, PA Airport Tower. He retired from the FAA after 37 years of service. Tom would tell you that he never “worked” a day in his life…one of the lucky ones who truly loved what he did.
While in Syracuse, Tom obtained his real estate license and began his realty career especially helping “first time buyers” realize their dream. After relocation to Lancaster, he obtained his Pennsylvania real estate license and continued working as a realtor for many more years.
Tom enjoyed 63 years of marriage to Louise Herr Jones, of Rohrerstown, PA. They added to the family tree with a son, Thomas O. Jones, of Lancaster, PA (married to Alycia Jones) and a daughter, Cynthia J. O’Hara, of Leesburg, VA (married to Dennis O’Hara).
Tom’s grandchildren, in order of appearance:
Abigael (Greg) Schultz, Meghan (Philip) Kerns, Melissa O’Hara, Spencer Keemer, Lacey Jones, Evan O’Hara, Benjamin Jones
Tom’s great-grandchildren:
Ryder Kerns, Adalyn Kerns, Knox Kerns
Tom’s grandchildren knew him as “Daddy Tom”. D.Tom traveled and attended more than his share of softball, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, football, baseball, and ice hockey games, as well as, marching band, school music concerts and plays. No visit with Daddy Tom was complete, without a Daddy Tom Dollar “just because”, which was a continuation of his father’s tradition.
Throughout his life, Tom was an avid golfer and a busy volunteer for the Jaycees, the Boys Scouts, and the Brandywine Youth Club.
Those fortunate enough to have known Tom, would describe him as a generous, patient, and kind, “Joe Friendly” J
In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to Compassus (Hospice) Compassuslivingfoundation.org (Compassus Location: Newtown Square, PA)