Jesse Jones - 2004
MHS 1941 Graduate
Jesse J. Jones, Class of 1941, was nominated by several people, including Laura S. Brown, Susan B. Crawford, Michael R. Gallina, Brenda Johnson, Robert Kastelic, Bill Martino, C. Louise Rose, and Carole A. Stein. Jones was a U. S. Navy veteran of World War II and was involved in many community service organizations.
As a child, Jones lived in Minerva on Murray Avenue with his parents, one brother and six sisters. He worked for Jake Shiffman delivering groceries on a bicycle throughout Minerva. He continued working for Shiffman after Jake opened his store at the comer of Market and High Streets. After high school, Jones was employed at Taylorcraft Aviation making aircraft for both the military and private sectors. Because of his job, he was exempt from the military draft; however, after his best friend was killed in military service, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served on the destroyer escort U.S.S. Price in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. He held the rank of Radarman Second Class.
His sister Edna introduced him to U. S. Navy service woman Dorothy Gollus, who was stationed in the secret mail and file room in Washington, D.C. Jesse and Dorothy were married in 1944. After their discharge from the navy, they came back to Ohio and Jesse became an instructor in aviation hand tools and as a aircraft draftsman. He and Dorothy became the parents of five children and eleven grandchildren.
After Jones left Taylorcraft Aviation, he was employed by E. W. Bliss Co. in Salem. He served as the company’s first-aid man since he had extensive training in first-aid and was a certified American Red Cross first-aid instructor. He volunteered with the American Red Cross for twenty-five years. His many years of volunteer service included: twelve years with the Hospice of Stark County, Scout Master and assistant Scout Master of the Boy Scouts, and Minerva Community Meals. He was an enthusiastic member of American Legion Post 357 and served as Commander as well as chairperson for the Americanism Scholarship Committee.
After Dorothy Jones died, Jesse, who suffered from heart problems, had open-heart surgery. His nurse was Harriet Miller who was a family friend, an ex army nurse and had recently retired from Aultman Hospital. Their friendship grew and they were married in 1992.
Harriet and Jesse enjoyed traveling, but mostly they spent a great deal of time volunteering. During Operation Desert Shield, they prepared and shipped many care-packages to Minerva area service personnel stationed in Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf. They personally purchased and dried bushels of apples, which they bagged and sent as a taste of home to our service personnel so far from home.
Laura S. Brown said of Jones when he volunteered at Alliance Community Hospital, "When Jesse came to volunteer, he came to serve others.
"Brenda Johnson of Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron said of Jones, "As a Respite Care Volunteer, Jesse went to families' homes to care for people who had a terminal illness while the caregiver took a break away from the home. This job could at times be very challenging emotionally, physically and even spiritually. However Jesse was dependable and cheerful as he went to each family."
Bill Martino, Director of The Minerva Public Library, called him a true friend of the library.
C. Louise Rose and Susan Crawford also wrote of Jones' work with the library, and especially his making and teaching others how to make origami figures.
Michael Gallina wrote, "As part of our alma mater states, 'oh worthy art thou of fame,' yes, Jesse is worthy of this recognition. He has been involved with our great school's heritage for the past sixty-three years!"
Robert Kastelic told of working with Jones in the Community Meals program and the Don V. Cross, American Legion Post 357.
Carole A. Stein, who worked with Jones teaching CPR and First Aid for the North Columbiana County American Red Cross, told of their work forming a First Aid Mobile Unit and the many hours spent in providing care to the community.