Ed Jones — Teacher, Drill Sergeant, Independent Thinker — Was 89

KIRKWOOD, MO — Edward Henry Jones Jr., 89, of Webster Groves, Missouri, died July 17, 2021, at his home.

Ed was born in 1931 to Georgia Annie Autenrieth, nee Williams, and Edward Henry Jones Sr., in Benton, Arkansas. He graduated from Malvern High School in 1949.

At age 18, Ed joined the newly-created U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Geneva, New York, as a drill sergeant during the Korean War. He met his future wife, Violet B. Jones, nee Carnicelli, while stationed there. They were married 69 years.

After being discharged from the Air Force, Ed earned his master's degree in Education. He retired from the Social Studies Dept at Kirkwood High School in 1984, where he spent the last years of his career teaching Psychology and as the head of that department.

Independent thinking was something Ed valued and tried to instill in his students. He explored many different philosophies throughout his lifetime.

From preparing soldiers for war to empowering youth, Ed left his mark on his family, community and nation.

Ed is survived by his wife, Violet; daughters, Georgia Doreen Jones and Adonna Jones; grandchildren Tiffany Kelley, Edward Kelley, Dora McMichael, Alana McMichael and James McMichael; and great-grandchildren Alyssa Dohm, Zachary Murphy Kelley, Taylor Kelley, Jeremy McMichael, Amber Olsen, Leo McMichael and Penelope McMichael, as well as his sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

He will be missed.