John Paul "J.P." Jones, 93, of Gulf Breeze, FL, passed from this life on Friday, January 29, 2021.

He was born on January 11, 1928, in Phil Campbell, AL, to John and Martha Jones. After graduating from Phil Campbell High School in 1945, J.P. enlisted in the Navy. He was accepted into the "Flying Midshipmen" flight training program at NAS Pensacola and NAS Corpus Christie, TX, and commissioned as an ensign and Naval aviator in 1949. He retired as a Commander in 1975, completing a diverse naval career that spanned three decades and three wars: World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War. Throughout his long career, he and his wife Mildred reared their four children in many locations throughout the U.S.

After retiring, J.P. then continued his education, earning an M.Ed. from the University of Northwest Florida, and went on to teach chemistry at Gulf Breeze High School for 10 years. Having grown up on a farm during the Depression, he learned to be independent and hard-working, and developed wide-ranging skills in building, mechanics, machinery, and woodworking. He and Mildred enjoyed 73 years of marriage, and filled their retirement with many activities: traveling, playing board games with friends and family, cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide, and always being ready to entertain a growing family of grandchildren.

J.P. is preceded in death by his parents; nine siblings; as well as a daughter, Susan Adams.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred; daughters, Paulette Brown (William) of Huntsville, AL and Carol Kearley (Ken) of Temple Terrace, FL; son, Art Jones of Cantonment, FL; son-in-law, Pete Adams of Cantonment, FL; sister, Leola Gordon of Phil Campbell, AL; grandchildren, Emily Brown (Chuck), Mark Brown (Audra), Rebekah Latta (Richard), Adam Kearley (Johanna), Michael Kearley (Irene), Benjamin Adams, Teri Long (Andrew), Talisha Parker (Tremayne), and Matt Jones; and 15 wonderful great-grandchildren, Paige, Liam, and Patrick Brown; April and Ryder Latta; Leilani Kearley; Rowan, Theo, and Jonah Kearley; Skyler, Braxton, and Emi Long; Caleb, Cole, and Kaytlyn Parker.

Visitation will be held 12:30pm-1:30pm Monday, February 8, 2021 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, followed by a 2:00pm private family graveside service at Barrancas National Cemetery, with Chaplain Ken Griffin, USN (Ret.) officiating.

Pallbearers will be Mark Brown, Adam Kearley, Benjamin Adams, Matt Jones, Michael Kearley, and Ken Kearley.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to one of the following charities in memory of J.P.: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS  66675; Disabled American Veterans, 2 David St., Fort Walton Beach, FL  32547; American Cancer Society, 5401 Corporate Woods Dr., Unit 100, Pensacola, FL  32504.

Roll Tide!!