Roll Call Tribute

Robert Drake "Bob" Jones, CAPT USN (Ret) 

December 12, 1941 - November 26, 2024 

Capt. Robert “Bob” Drake Jones (U.S. Navy, Retired), age 82, died on November 26, 2024 after a multi-year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia in Sugar Land, Texas.

Bob was born on December 12, 1941 in Shreveport, Louisiana. As an Army brat, he traveled extensively, including to Japan during the Occupation. Eventually settling in Lampasas, Texas, Bob developed his quick wit, work ethic and desire to succeed with a fun loving attitude. He attended Texas A&M University for a year before entering the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated in the Class of 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in engineering.

His at-sea assignments included USS Chevalier (DD805), USS Goodrich (DD-831), USS Leonard F. Mason (DD852) and Commanding Officer of USS Davis (DD-937) and USS Nicholson (DD-982). He served three tours of duty in Vietnam including one with Vietnamese Riverine Forces as senior adviser to IV Corps. In 1969, Jones attended Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned a master’s in ocean physics.

In 1976, he took German immersion courses at the Defense Language Institute and later served as U.S. Navy Exchange Officer at the German Naval Academy in Flensburg, Germany. In 1981, he earned a master’s of public administration from George Washington University and graduated from Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Follow-on assignments included staff of commander-in-chief, Atlantic Fleet and as executive officer of the largest missile engineering station in the Navy.

Jones retired from the Navy in 1988 after 24 years of commissioned service. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (V), Vietnamese Honor Medal (First Class), in addition to 16 other campaign and personal medals.

After the Navy, Bob worked with various high tech firms and was chief of maintenance for the State of Washington Ferry System. Eventually settling in Georgetown, Texas, Bob founded a successful real estate company which he ran for many years.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Col. Richard A. Jones; mother, Eva D. Jones; brother, Richard M. Jones; and sister, Betty Wiley.

Surviving relatives include many nephews and nieces along with his sister, Eva Lynne Moore of Lampasas; two brothers, Roger E. Jones of Dadeville, Alabama and Mark R. Jones of Sugar Land, Texas; ex-wife, Margaret Jones, and stepdaughter, Amy Sorenson, of Honolulu, Hawaii; and stepsons Tim Burrington of South Riding, Virginia, and Chad Burrington of Lakewood, Washington.

Bob will be laid to rest at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland with full military honors.