Joseph Jones

Former Luzerne County Commissioner, Joseph "Red" Jones, of Dallas passed away peacefully in his sleep at Mercy Center Nursing Center on July 17th. Born on April 2, 1938, he was the son of the late Oswald and Josephine (Tovey) Jones. "Red" was a 1956 graduate of Harter High School where he was a standout athlete in basketball and baseball. After high school, he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. Red was a highly successful basketball coach at St. Vincent's High School in Plymouth, PA where his teams won multiple league and Class C championships. He was proud that his teams earned four consecutive Wyoming Valley Officials Sportsmanship Awards. Red also coached at St. Pius X Seminary in Dalton and College Misericordia. "Red" was a well-known square dance caller for over 50 years and was considered by many to be among the best in the state. During that time, he helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable organizations and causes. Over the years, he was associated with a number of nonprofit organizations including the Catholic Youth Center, Harvey's Lake Lions Club, the Knights of Columbus, Ballet Northeast, The Arthritis Foundation, and the Luzerne County Republican Party. He was also a longtime volunteer at Mercy Center. "Red" served on the Lake Lehman School Board for 14 years and was a passionate advocate for education and the students of the district. He went on to serve the people of county as a County Commissioner in 1996. During his time in office, he put progress over politics and worked with his follow commissioners to help bring the arena to completion, improve the levee system, expand Luzerne County Community College, and modernize the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton International Airport. Throughout his working career, he held several sales and management positions and retired as an aide to State Representative George Hasay. In 2016, "Red" was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame and the Lake-Lehman "Knights of the Roundtable" Society. Above all things, "Red" Jones was known as a servant, leader and as a caring friend to many. In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his wife of 53 years, Marie Ann Conrad, as well as, his brother Thomas. Surviving are his daughter, Nancy George and her husband, George of Lehman Twp., son Bill and his wife, Janet of Mountaintop, daughter Linda Bell and her husband Robert of Cumming, GA, and son Bobby and his wife Amy of New Jersey. He is also survived by his brothers, Donald of Jackson Township, and Bill of Kingston. "Red" has four grandchildren, Caroline and Rachel Jones and Madison and Erica Bell. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 10:00 Am at Gate of Heaven Church, Machell Ave, Dallas. Interment will be private. Friends May call Friday, from 6 to 8 PM at The Richard H. Disque Funeral Home, Inc., 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas and again at Gate of Heaven Church from 9:00 AM until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to United Way of Wyoming Valley at 100 North Pennsylvania Blvd., Second Floor Wilkes-Barre PA 18701.