Louis West Jones

Our fun-loving, hard-working dad, Louis W. Jones, Sr., AKA Grandpa, Paw Paw, Mr. Louie, age 95 passed away peacefully at his home, Sunday morning, May 30, 2021. Louis was a lover of life and his character and sense of humor was enjoyed by those fortunate to have known him.

Born in Clayton, NC, September 25, 1925, he was the son of the late Samuel Marvin Jones and Hattie Kelly Jones. He was preceded in death by twelve brothers and sisters and his wife Audrey. Louie is survived by daughter Pamela J. Jones (Doug), of Pensacola, FL, daughter Connie Jones Schor (David) of Burlington, NC and son Louis West Jones, Jr. (Hope) of Ravenel, SC; three grandchildren, Bradley C. Jones (Elizabeth), Amanda Markey Tillotson (Blake) and Matthew Markey; and great-grandsons, Brantley Lane Tillotson, Ethan Blair Tillotson and Garrett Lee Tillotson.

At the age of three, Louie entered the Junior Order of United American Mechanics (Jr OUAM) in Tiffin, Ohio. While at the Jr. OUAM he attended grades 1-9. In the 6th grade students began studying a trade. Louie worked in the Weaving Department making wicker furniture. It just so happened that the Weaving Department was located next to the Printing Department where he developed an interest in the printing process.

When the NC Chapters of the Jr. OUAM separated from the national chapter, all children from NC in Tiffin were moved to Lexington, NC. Louie attended grades 10-12 at the Jr. OUAM Lexington where he worked on the farm and in the gymnasium, graduating in April 1943.

With America at war and at the age of 17, Louie joined the Navy. After attending bootcamp, he was selected for Torpedoman School in Newport, RI. Louie rode aboard the USS Indianapolis (last ship sunk in WWII) from Mare Island, CA to Pearl Harbor, HI, his first duty station. He spent the remainder of WWII in the Pacific aboard the USS Bushnell AS15 (submarine tender) achieving the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class.

At the end of hostilities, Louie left the Navy November 13, 1946 and attended the Southern School of Printing in Nashville, TN from 1947 – 1949, while also working for Baird Ward printing company and E. T. Lowe Publishing Company. Upon graduating from Southern School of Printing, he moved to Burlington, NC and started working at the Daily Times News as a Linotype operator for several years before becoming a Linotype machinist. He worked at the Daily Times News for 27 years.

Louis met Audrey through several of her half brothers and sisters. They were married in 1953.

In 1977 Dan Boswell and Louie opened Boswell-Jones printing company. They printed, made rubber type and rubber stamps. Their predominant clients were textile companies. Louie retired and closed Boswell-Jones in 2002. He had gotten three kids through college. It was time to plant a garden, attend yard sales and go hunting.

A memorial service will be conducted at the Columbarium at St. Mark’s Church Cemetery on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either: Hospice AuthoraCare Collective (2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405) or Veterans of Foreign Wars (634 West Webb Ave., Burlington, NC 27217) in appreciation of their efforts providing compassionate care and a needed wheelchair ramp.

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