Lt. Colonel (Ret.) James J. Jones, of Sorrento, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 24, 2018.  He was born July 15, 1923, in Lawrence, Kansas, the son of James and Mary Jones.  He married his soulmate, Ruth Ann Elfgen on June 8, 1944.

He lived and served his entire 25 year military career in the U.S. Air Force participating in World War II and the Korean War as a B-17 bomber pilot, and in the Vietnam War in charge of security for the Southeast Asian theatre.   He retired in 1967, moving to Apopka, Florida, before settling in Sorrento, Florida, for the remainder of his years. He founded and ran Jones & Jones Nursery working until the last few years.

He was a faithful servant to the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Sorrento retiring and now serving as Deacon Emeritus for the Church.  He also served for many years as a Director for the Sorrento Cemetery and was involved in its expansion.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Ann. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his daughters, Sherry Teuscher (Ron Teuscher), Diane Falbe (Bill Falbe, dec'd), Vicky Cauthen (David Cauthen), Debby Jones (Ron Zemba), Nancy Miller (Tom Miller), and his sons, Jimmy Jones and Ricky Jones, and his many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Allen J. Harden Funeral Home, Donnelly Street, Mount Dora, Florida.  The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at the First Baptist Church of Sorrento, with Military honors.