Obituary of Ernest C. Jones

Ernest C. Jones (“ Casey ”), 87, of Merritt Island, Florida, passed away at 8:10 am on June 28, 2018 while in hospice in nearby Rockledge, Florida. He passed peacefully from a stroke he had 5 days earlier after enjoying a morning of gardening with his devoted wife, Dale Jones, followed by a spin on his motorcycle and his favorite Taco Bell lunch. Born on December 23, 1930 to Ernest Courtland Jones (nicknamed Fate) and Annabell Virginia Jones (went by Ann, maiden name = Peterson) who were ages 24 and 17, respectively, at the time of Casey’s birth (in Mesquite, NM) while living among their Beasley family relatives who were homesteading in Soledad Canyon, New Mexico. Oakdale High School, Oakdale, CA (1948) California Division of Forestry (fire protection) Naval Station Treasure Island Electronics Technician School (~1952). Taught there too. Navy Cadet School (to be a pilot) Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL (~1953) BSEE from Auburn University 1961 As a pilot for the Navy, Casey’s missions included flying Korean-area border patrol in a P2V (~1954-1958) and air surveillance of an above-ground nuclear test. These activities were followed by several years in the Navy reserves (while at Auburn U., 1958-1961). His three children were born in 1954, 1955, and 1957. While in school, Casey supported the family by working as a flight instructor at the Auburn airport. Casey was an excellent engineer who began his career in 1961 with Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, California on the Delta rocket program. In the summer of 1964, he relocated to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida (pad 17). In 1967, the company entered a merger to become McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company. Casey participated in over 200 launches as Delta Electronics Group Leader, then Delta Launch Conductor at both CCAFS and Vandenburg Air Force Base, California. After 24 years with McDonnell Douglas, Casey took early retirement in 1985 to consult through Pan Am and then through Computer Sciences Raytheon (CSR). Nearing age 65, he retired from CSR in 1995. Casey was a wonderful friend to many and the best possible father, ever! He spent many happy years with Dale, whom he married in 1996 after a year of shared fun. Casey was an avid gardener (and grafter) of hibiscus. Loved photography, Friday evening dancing at Heidi’s Jazz Club, any-gizmo repair, and all forms of fishing, including scuba diving. Got a Vespa in the late 1950s. Then a series of Harleys (one all-chrome, ~1961). Switched to Honda CB750 by 1969. Gleefully enjoyed a last ride on his Suzuki 650, Saturday, June 23, 2018. He is preceded in death by many cherished friends who he continued to miss and speak of very fondly. Casey Jones is survived by his first wife (and mother of his children), Madlyn Noreen Rowland, his current wife of 21+ years, Dale Jones, his sister, Nancy Barnes, his children, Davy Jones (64), Judy Jones (62), and his son and best friend, Kelly Jones (60), plus Judy’s daughters, Katherine C. Jones (“Casey”) (27) and Erica C. Jones (“Ricki”) (24). Casey’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has been so helpful to us, especially Cape Canaveral Hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center, Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice and Palliative Care, and Dale’s daughter and son, Deborah Bayline, and David Byrd.