Bobby George Jones

Bobby went peacefully to Heaven on January 23, 2024, after a lengthy illness. He was at Westland House in Monterey, CA. Bobby was born in Gulfport, MS to Frances and Lesley Jones. He was a graduate of Gulfport High School in 1959. He received his Bachelor and Masters of Music degrees in Organ and Church Music from the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. He met Nancy McKie, a fellow music major at USM and they married in 1963 in New Orleans, LA. He was the Minister of Music at the Columbia Methodist Church in Columbia, MS at the time, but was drafted into the Army two months after marrying. He was assigned as a Chaplain's Assistant to the Main Post Chapel at Fort Ord, CA, for his two years of military service. He remained as the choir director at the chapel for the next 30 years, taught music at Santa Catalina School for 5 years, owned Exotic Tropicals and Pets in Seaside, CA for 20 years, worked at Griggs Nursery for 15 years and was the choir director at the Monterey United Methodist Church in Monterey, CA for 30 years. He was passionate about gardening, especially camellias, from the age of 5. He was an accredited judge with the American Camellia Society and won many awards at California Camellia Shows. Bobby is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy, his children Laurin (Eric Brentlinger) Jones, Frannie (Eric) Oswald, grandchildren Kia Sutter, Cheyton Sutter, Ashley (Stephen) Carter, Molly (Isaiah) Guerero, sister-in-law Dixie Baird, nieces Allie Whelchel and Franci Bissett, and nephews Kenny Girot, Roy (Vicky) Girot, Richard Powell, Les Powell, Lindsey Powell, and John Powell. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents and sister Fran Powell, and sister-in-law Fran Dunlap and husband Frank Dunlap. A memorial service is planned for March 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Monterey United Methodist Church, Monterey, CA, 1 Soledad Dr., Monterey, CA., 93901. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bobby's memory may be made to the Monterey United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.