House Resolution 20
(By Delegate Pethtel)
H. R. 20
- "Commemorating and celebrating the life of Robert L. Jones, Sr., husband, father,
grandfather, businessman, pathfinder, artisan and public servant."
Whereas, Robert L. "Bob" Jones, Sr. was born on March 27, 1929 in Wheeling, W. Va. to
the late Thelma Odessa Turner and Edmund L. Jones; and
Whereas, Mr. Jones was married to Mary Lou Holler in 1950 who survives him in death;
and
Whereas, He was the proud father of six children: Robert L. Jones, Jr, of Wheeling; Thomas
E. Jones of Morgantown; Keith Jones of Wheeling; Donald L. Jones, of New Martinsville; Richard
T. Jones of Columbus, Ohio and Judianne Jones Lange of Scottsdale, Arizona; and.
Whereas, Mr. Jones was also the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and two step-
grandchildren: Rob, Ian, Olivia and Patrick Jones, of Wheeling; Jana Jones Renner of Orlando, Fla.;
Brian, Jessica and Daniel Jones, of Morgantown; Chris and Steve Jones, of New Martinsville; Caitlin
Jones, of St. Clairsville; Griffin, Rys and Kendall Jones, of Columbus, Ohio and Ashley Lange of
Aberdeen, Scotland and Jeffrey Lange of Wilmington, Delaware; and
Whereas, He was educated at the Linsly Military School in Wheeling at Bowling Green
University in Bowling Green, Ohio where he obtained a bachelors degree in chemistry; and
Whereas, Mr. Jones began his service to his community by returning to Wheeling where
he taught mathematics at St. John's Central Catholic School and started his own television repair
business and served his community through participation in the Boy Scouts of America, Jaycees,
Junior Achievement and the Knights of Columbus (4th degree); and
Whereas, He later moved to New Martinsville to accept an assignment as a bench chemist
with the then new Monsanto-Bayer joint venture, Mobay (now Bayer). It was with Bayer that Mr.
Jones rose in the ranks to production supervisor, quality superintendent and purchasing manager; and
Whereas, A man of action, Mr. Jones, tried his hand at politics in 1984 in a successful
attempt to a seat on the House of Delegates. Two years later, Jones broke new ground in becoming
the first ever Republican re-elected to the House from Wetzel County. In 1988, he chose not to seek
a third term saying wryly, "I left politics due to illness...the voters got sick of me"; and
Whereas, He chose to remain in public life by serving in various leadership roles within the
state GOP including chairman of the Wetzel County Republican Party. Both inside and outside his
leadership roles with the GOP, Mr. Jones made his beliefs know though radio commentaries and opinion/editorial pieces in newspapers in Wheeling, Parkersburg and Charleston; and
Whereas, Mr. Jones was also vocal in his support for non-partisan projects in his
community. He was a part of such groups as Head Start, the Wetzel County Courthouse Building
Commission and the Rt. 68 Committee; and
Whereas, He continued to live an active life though participation in the arts. Among Mr.
Jones' endeavors were creation of basket-work and unique ceramic glazes for hand-thrown pottery
which were displayed in such places as London, England. His talents were also expressed in the
performing arts by participation with the Meistersingers and Bayertones and the Parlor City Player;
and .
Whereas, Mr. Jones' commitment to his community ended with his death on April 18, 2005
after a long fight with cancer; therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the House of Delegates hereby memorializes and celebrates the life of Robert L. Jones,
Sr., and gratefully acknowledges his distinguished and dedicated career as a public servant to his
country and beloved state; and be it ,
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare certified copies of this
resolution for his surviving family members.