Note: Richard used to be a Physical Education (PE) Teacher here at WPSD. He was also a track coach for many years. He coached the ESDAA Championship team in two years.
Richard Merle Jones Sr., 96, of Big Pool, MD, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at his home.
Born April 24, 1926, in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Richard and Helena Jones.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Frances Bier Jones, in 2020.
Richard was a 1944 graduate of Perry High School and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in teaching.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II.
Richard retired in 1996 after many years working as a physical education teacher at both the Maryland and Pennsylvania Schools for the Deaf.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Clear Spring, where he served as a deacon and was a former treasurer. In his spare time, Richard enjoyed golfing and taking care of his lawn. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to go hunting and fishing.
Richard is survived by his children, Beverly Engbarth, Richard Jones Jr., Roberta Bowers, and Daniel Jones; 7 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond M. Jones.
Services will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022, at 12 pm at Donald Edwin Thompson Funeral Home, Inc., 13607 National Pike, Clear Spring, MD. The Rev. Robert Lewis will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Clear Spring, MD.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home two hours prior to the service on Friday from 10 am to 12 pm.
Memorial donations may be made in Richard’s honor to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, c/o Ruby Chaney, 14617 National Pike, Clear Spring, MD 21722 or to Hospice of Washington County, 11370 Caring Pathway Lane, Hagerstown, MD 21742.
Source: Donald Edwin Thompson Funeral Home, Inc.
According research from our WPSD Alumni, here are Richard Jone’s highlights:
- Graduated from Perry High School in 1944
- Graduated from the University of Pittsburgh
- Veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II
- Hired as a physical education teacher and coach
- Teacher (1951-73) for 22 years
- Athletic Director
- Soccer Coach (1951-72)
- 33 victories, 6 defeats, and one tie in his first five years
- Varsity Basketball Coach (1956-71)
- First Track Coach (1963-71)
- Won ESDAA Boys Track Championship in 1968 and 1969
- His sign name is the letter “J” moved twice
- Physical Education Teacher at the Maryland School for the Deaf for 23 years
- Track Coach
- Won 2 or 3 ESDAA Track Championships
