Colonel Vera M. Jones, greatly admired sister, aunt, cousin, and many friends from coast to coast passed away on Tues., February 28, 2012. Vera was born in Caldwell, Idaho Oct. 14, 1931. She moved to Bellingham, WA in 1943 where she graduated from Whatcom Junior High, Bellingham High School and Western Washington College where she got a Bachelor of Arts in Education majoring in physical ed. She taught elementary, middle school, high school and junior college students until in her late 20's.
At 28 years of age 1949 she joined the Marine Corps and was sent to Officer Candidate School. She graduated with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Her first tour of duty was at Camp Pendleton, CA as MCS Adjutant Officer. As a 1st Lieutenant she was transferred to Parris Island, South Carolina to take the position of Company Commander of the Recruit Training Dept. Later after being commissioned as Captain, she had a 2 year tour of duty in Viet Nam as Office-in-Charge US Military Assistance Command USMC Personnel Section. While there she taught English to Vietnamese women and children. Her next duty station as Major was Administrative Office & Woman's Coordinator Assignment Personnel Department-Headquarters, WA, D.C.
After being promoted to Lt. Colonel USMC she was Commanding Officer of Woman Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, SC. She was then promoted to Colonel and served as 12th District Adjutant, Pentagon, WA, D.C. Her last duty station was in New Orleans, LA where she was assistant Chief of Staff – 4th USMC Division Rein until her retirement. After 20 years service to our country and retiring as a full bird Colonel she remained in the New Orleans area. She returned to her love of children and taught 4th grade in the Marrero, LA area.
Later she returned to Washington State to look after her aging father in Maple Valley. Soon after she found a home in Kent and eventually moved her father in with her until his death in 1998. A Memorial service will be held on Sat., March 10, 3pm at Richmond Beach Congregation Church, 1512 NW 195th St. in Shoreline.
