Photo By Cpl. Harley Thomas | Monica Jones, Gunnery Sgt. Eugene Jones’ wife, takes a moment to remember her...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII — A memorial service was held for Gunnery Sgt. Eugene E. Jones, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge for the Outbound Support Branch of the Installation Personnel Administration Center, May 4, 2015, at the Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel.
Jones was found unresponsive in his barracks room on April 29 at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., according to an official statement from the Marine Corps. The gunnery sergeant, survived by his wife and three children, was honored by friends, family and military personnel.
In 2006, Jones, a Montgomery, W.Va., native, served in Operation Enduring Freedom. His personal awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal with three gold stars.
Chief Petty Officer Kyle Davis, a counselor with the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37, said he had the honor of living next to the Jones family for the last three and a half years.
“While most of you knew (him) as ‘Gunny,’ I knew him as Eddie, a kind-hearted, grounded, courteous neighbor (who) put his wife and girls first,” he said. “There is no doubt that (they) were his world. He and I used to joke about how he handled being the only guy in a house full of women, and he always said he wouldn’t have it (any) other way.”
Davis said while Jones would often play with his girls and ride around on their bikes, sometimes he would just sit on his porch and watch them in awe.
“There is nothing in the world that made Eddie happier than being a dad,” he said. “Nothing made him happier than seeing his girls smile, hearing them laugh, seeing their daily success and watching them develop into a positive part of this new generation.”
Helen Josypenko, an outbound support and disability human resource specialist with IPAC, said Jones’ family was his motivation, and he beamed with love and pride as he shared moments of his home life.
“He (always) had a special sparkle in his eyes when he mentioned their names or talked about their shenanigans,” she said. “His family was his life. As the day wound down, Gunny would look at the clock, (not just eager) to get off work, but (to get) home to be with his family.”
Josypenko said through working with Jones, she got to know him as a Marine, a loving husband, father and friend. She said it was his heart that made him successful in all of those roles and, if you were to describe him in a few words, the following would come to mind: Generous, loving, spontaneous, enthusiastic, optimistic, charming, easygoing and loyal.
“There are many things to remember about Gunny; at work, he was our go-to guy,” she said. “There was nothing (he) couldn’t do. If I was looking for him and the Marines told me he was doing ‘Gunny things,’ the meaning was clear: He was doing what he believed to be important — improving (our) quality of life the best (he) could. Gunny did not measure success by the rockers on his collar, (but) measured it as the man he was.”
Jones had his priorities straight and his heart in the right place, Davis said. He said the gunnery sergeant was a devoted member of the Marine Corps: Proud to wear the uniform, honored to serve and genuinely devoted to his junior Marines.
“There is much to be missed about such a great man,” Davis said. “As many of us (sit) back and ask the question ‘why,’ I know Eddie wouldn’t want us to do that. He would want us all to walk by faith because, if we did, we wouldn’t ask why. He would tell us there’s a reason for everything and a silver lining — though, obviously not known to us right now — will eventually come. I am better for having known Eddie, though only for three and a half years. There is no doubt the Marine Corps has lost one of its very finest and society has lost (one of) the very best of what humanity has to offer, because there are simply not enough (like him) in this world.”
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2015 18:09 |
| Story ID: | 162769 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US |
| Hometown: | MONTGOMERY, WV, US |
| Web Views: | 375 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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