Obituary of Russell E. Jones

JONES, Russell E. Died on November 17, 2017 at the age of 93. Russ was born in Albuquerque, NM to George Bryant Jones and Vida Pinney Jones on September 15, 1924. In 1926 the family moved to the Verde Valley (Clarkdale) where his father was Superintendent of Schools. He was predeceased by his brothers, Bryant W. Jones and Milford R. Jones and is survived by his wife, Gretchen Warner Jones and children, Warner B. Jones, Gretchen Wall, Charlotte Morrissey and Meredith Weymer; sons in-law, Randal Wall, Michael Morrissey and Dr. Andrew Weymer; grandchildren, Christopher Brown, Kent, Meredith and Mark Morrissey and Matthew and Charlotte Weymer. He is also survived by many beloved relatives and friends and colleagues, but especially by his dedicated secretary of 40+ years, Carol Watson. He followed his brothers to the University of Arizona which was interrupted by World War II when he volunteered for the Army. He was a member of the 96th "Deadeye" Infantry Division, only one of four complete WWII divisions to receive a Presidential Unit Citation (and the only one in the Pacific). After serving in the Philippines and Okinawa, and being awarded the Combat Infantrymen's Badge, Philippine Liberation Badge, 2 Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and the Purple Heart, he returned to the University of Arizona to complete his education. He graduated in 1948 with a BPA and in 1950 with an LLB (J.D.). While at the University he was invited to become a member of every scholastic and service honorary for which he was eligible. He was a lifelong supporter of all aspects of the University of Arizona. He avidly followed U of A sports and until 2017 had never missed an Arizona football game if he was in town. He worked quietly for many projects which aided the University in many ways. Russ began his law career with the firm Hall, Catlin & Molloy in 1950 and was a central figure in the firm, which later came to be known as Molloy, Jones & Donahue. His practice focused in the areas of administrative, utility, construction, professional associations and commercial law. Russ loved the law and was the embodiment of a principled practicing attorney. He served in many capacities with the bar and community charitable organizations, chairing the committee to codify the Arizona Administrative Code, acting as the president of the Pima County Bar Association and was a longtime member from 1963 of the Tucson Conquistadors and was best known for his generalship of the golf tournaments parking. He was "of counsel" at Waterfall Economidis Caldwell Hanshaw & Villamana the last 15 years of his career, enabling him to actively practice until his retirement in 2014 at the age of 90. Russ never sought chairmanships or presidencies of any group eschewing publicity or fame. He preferred to work quietly behind the scenes in support of causes he believed in. He was active in the Democratic Party and many legal, civic, university and social organizations. A public Memorial Service will be held Monday, February 19 (Presidents Day), at 1:00 p.m. at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 9071 Old Spanish Trail (between Camino Seco and Harrison), followed by a reception at the Mountain Oyster Club, 6400 E. El Dorado Plaza, Tucson, AZ 85715. The interment will be Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. sharp at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 15950 N. Luckett Road, Marana AZ. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.