Obituary of Wayne A. Jones

Wayne Allyn Jones, Sr., 82, passed away November 23 at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, NY after a prolonged illness. Wayne was a man of honor and humor who enjoyed the deer and birds of New York State, American history, Republican politics, the King James Bible, classical opera, and home-cooked meals. Born in Batavia, NY on June 27, 1933, to Mabel (Cosway) and William G. Jones, Wayne moved to Binghamton by five years old. He graduated from Binghamton Central High School one semester early, graduated 9th in his 1955 class at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) as a civil engineer, studied as a scholar graduate student at Cornell University, and was a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. His fellow students wrote of him: "Wayne is one of those boys who sets goals for himself and doesn't cease working until he has attained it. He always has a word of encouragement for his friends, and his diligence is an example for all. Wayne's sincere manner and his willingness to work will carry him to whatever heights his sights are set on: which is the best plumbing and heating business in New York State." Wayne credits VMI with instilling the character that made his life so successful. Wayne and his father founded J & K Plumbing and Heating Company (J&K) in 1948. Under Wayne's leadership, in 1982, J&K became the eighth largest privately owned plumbing company in the country. Work was Wayne's passion and he especially enjoyed complex engineering challenges. As a commercial contractor, Wayne helped to construct schools, hospitals, and other commercial buildings from Maine to North Carolina. He loved his family of employees and often referred to them respectfully as "the boys." Wayne was a founding member in 1987 of the Southern Tier Sheet Metal Contractors Association Apprentice Training Program, which provided training to hundreds of young men. Wayne was proud of his Welsh heritage and was a founding member of the Welsh Society in Binghamton. He was an Elder and also served as head of the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Binghamton, NY for nine years. Wayne leaves his wife of 59 years, Joyce Kathleen McPhail Jones. Wayne met Joyce in Niagara Falls, NY, on a blind date through mutual friends in 1952. After the first date he went home and told his mother he found the girl he was going to marry. They married on July 21, 1956 at the First Presbyterian Church of Niagara Falls and shared a life of love, travel, and companionship. They were always each other's best friend. Wayne's quick wit, quiet demeanor, generosity, and love of life made him a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. His children remember him as a loving, supportive, and patient father who encouraged them to pursue their dreams through education. He leaves six children, eighteen grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. Wayne is survived by: son, Wayne Allyn (Inga) Jones, Jr., of Binghamton, NY; daughters, Linda (Dr. James) Baumgartner of Winter Park, FL; Karen (Dr. William) Mohn of Huntingtown, MD; Donna (Dr. Kevin) Wright of Whitney Point, NY; Susan (Thomas) Pappas of Binghamton, NY; and Marcia Jones-Lam of Piedmont, CA. He also leaves eighteen grandchildren, Dr. Morgan (Dr. Christine) Jones of Ann Arbor, MI; Dr. Zachary (Angela) Jones of Philadelphia, PA; Maxwell Jones and Ivan Jones of Binghamton, NY; Chloe Jones of Philadelphia, PA; Alexander Baumgartner and John Adam Baumgartner of Winter Park, FL; Catherine Baumgartner of Miami, FL; Michael Baumgartner of Cambridge, England; Elyse Mohn of Alexandria, VA; William Mohn, IV, of Huntingtown, MD; Andrew Flamik of Liverpool, NY; Meredith Flamik and Madeline Flamik of Whitney Point, NY; George Pappas and Sophia Pappas of Binghamton, NY; and Clarissa Jones-Lam and Erica Jones-Lam of Piedmont, CA; one great granddaughter, Evelyn Brooke Jones, of Ann Arbor, MI; cousins, Donald Field of Hope Mills, NC; and John Pritchard of Waterville, NY. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Donald (Charlene) McPhail and Roger (Linda) McPhail of Oneonta, NY and many nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by his large family and many close friends and business associates. The family wishes to express appreciation for the wonderful nurses and staff on Seton 1, Lourdes Hospital and to extend particular gratitude to Drs. Kiran Talati, John Miller and Zia Shah, who treated Wayne for many years with such compassion. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton, on Friday from 3-6pm. The Funeral Service and burial in Vestal Hills Memorial Park will be private. Father James Dutko will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions can be made in Wayne's name to the Broome County Humane Society or St. Jude's Children Hospital, P.O. Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950.