Donald Roy Jones

Donald R. Jones, 92, of Altoona passed away on Thursday morning July 8, beginning his new life in Heaven.  He was born in Machias, NY, son of Dow and Alice Jones. As a young lad, he believed John 3:16 and trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He often rode his bike to Odosagih Bible Conference located beside Lime Lake where he loved to swim.

Don, a Korean War veteran, enlisted in the Navy in 1952, serving on the USS Steuben County (LST 1138) until 1954 and then at the San Diego naval base. During this time he was given the address of a young woman living in Altoona, PA.  After 11 months of writing letters, he married Phyllis Sickenberger on October 29, 1955.  Following discharge from the Navy, he worked for Delta Airlines until God orchestrated things resulting in him becoming a State Farm insurance agent in Altoona for over 37 years.  In his later years, Don often talked about God's faithfulness to him and his wife.

Don loved to work, lending a hand with many projects for himself and others.  He also loved to travel - sightseeing as well as visiting friends and family.  But what he loved most was doing everything with his dearly loved wife.  His faith was very important to him.  He was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church serving in various positions throughout the years.  

Surviving are his wife, two daughters: Karen Brown and Kathie Beatty (husband Ron)

Grandchildren: Scott Jones and wife Aimee, Nathan Beatty, Jonathan Beatty and wife Shauna, Angela Cochran and husband Matt, Molly Brown, Katie Gerstner and husband Tobias, and Joshua Brown. Great-grandchildren: Miranda, DJ, Ariana, Addison, Brenden, Camden, Jase, Elias, and one on the way. Two nieces: Sandy Phetteplace and Sharey Travis.

Don was preceded in death by his two older sisters Helen Stoll and Violet Day, his son David Jones, and his son-in-law Dale Brown.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 Wednesday, July 14 and 10:00 Thursday, July 15 with a service at 11:00 at Calvary Baptist Church, 810 Ruskin Drive, Altoona.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan's Purse disaster relief (www.samaritanspurse.org) or Tecate Mission (www.tecatemission.org) or Calvary Baptist Church.