Thomas S. Jones
KOAT DOGD
1950 – 2017
“Do you know how to make a Cuba Libre?” “Are you trying to make me look stupid in a foreign country?” “No one tells me anything!” “Get your stones outta my swale!”
“On July 12, 2017, Tom Jones passed away,” but not before he passed on so many wonderful lessons and memories to his family. Tom was the beloved husband of 42 years to Karen (nee Friel). Dad was a loving father to his son Tom and his wife Kris, his daughter Laura and her husband Wil. Poppy adored his four grandchildren, Keri, Courtney, Jamison and Tommy III and loved spending time with his family. Brother Tom, loved his siblings, Sister Marie, Brother Joe and his wife Elva, his sisters in-law Dianne and Ginny, brother-in-law Ed, and all his nieces and nephews. KOAT DOGD will be dearly missed by so many.
Tom was a proud and patriotic U.S. Navy veteran serving on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. Tom was a member of the crew that participated in the recovery of the Apollo 16 Astronauts, a moment that he cherished and shared often. If you ever see video footage of that day, look for the sailor in the yellow shirt by the helicopter. That’s our Tom, Dad, Poppy, standing with honor, serving our country, and forever making us proud. In recent years, he reconnected with his Navy buddies, Richard and Buzz and enjoyed spending time with them and their families.
Over 40 years ago, Tom joined The Men of Saint Matthews bowling league. Tom loved bowling and he loved the friends that he made on those Thursday nights. He was a dedicated officer of the league where he served as Secretary. In recent years, he was also Treasurer. Tom passed his love of bowling down to his son-in-law Wil, where they shared a healthy competition. Thursday nights will never be the same.
Tom spent his working life in a variety of professions, but it was in his later working years that he had some of the greatest pleasure. While working as a part-time driver for Chandler Hall retirement home, he found great joy in sharing stories with the residents and learning about their lives. He was a retiree from the School District of Philadelphia.
Tom was a lifelong fan of the Phillies. It all started in 1950 with Ritchie Ashburn and those Whiz Kids, his heart was broken in ’63, but he stuck with the team through the many slow years and celebrated those championship seasons with as much joy as those that played in the games. He took in regular games each summer and relished those times when he shared his seats with family. The Phillie Phanatic was a constant travel companion, accompanying his wife and him on their many travels around the world. He also was an avid fan of the local college teams, Temple, Penn State and enjoyed his annual Princeton/Penn basketball game with Tommy and Laura.
Tom loved to travel and he and Karen did a lot of it in the past years, taking cruises, long weekend trips as well as traveling throughout Europe. While in the states, he liked to take in a Phillies game during these trips, most recently in St. Louis.
Tom was Episcopalian, but in recent years enjoyed attending services at some of the Lutheran churches.
Tom enjoyed making wine almost as much as he enjoyed drinking it and he was very good at it. He liked nothing better than he and Karen going out to one of their favorite BYOB’s on Sunday evenings.
Relatives and friends are invited to Mannal Funeral Home 6925 Frankford Ave. to celebrate and remember Tom.
- Viewing: Wednesday, 7/19/2017 6:00pm – 8:00pm and Thursday, 7/20/2017 8:30am – 9:30am
- Funeral Service: Thursday, 7/20/2017 9:30am
- Interment: Thursday, 7/20/2017 11:30am Washington Crossing National Cemetery
We ask that In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tom’s name may be made to one of the following charities:
- The March of Dimes
- SPCA
- Jude’s