In Memoriam: Red Bank Resident, Inventor, Rocket Scientist, John H. Jones, 92

Red Bank resident, John H. Jones, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 19 at the Atrium at Navesink Harbor in Red Bank. He was 92.

John was born in Greenville, SC, to John Hunt Jones and Margaret (Dillon) Jones, and spent most of his childhood in Riverhead, Long Island.

He learned the value of hard work early, taking jobs that included working on a local potato farm and repairing appliances as a mechanic for Sears, covering a large area of Long Island. A natural leader, John captained his high school football team. He went on to the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, where he played football, graduated second in his class, and formed lifelong friendships with the men who would later become his business partners.

John married Angel on August 18, 1956. After a short honeymoon, he joined General Electric in Schenectady, NY, and just one week later was drafted into the Navy.

Over the years, John and Angel made their home in Levittown and King of Prussia, PA, Westfield and Mantoloking, and New York City, before settling in Red Bank.

From 1956 to 1959, John served aboard ships in the U.S. Navy, rising to the rank of full lieutenant. He was responsible for the operations of an oil tanker, leading more than 200 men in the engine room and tasked with refueling warships in the dangerous North Sea.

“He nearly lost his life twice because he refused to let his men do the dangerous work alone during raging storms.”

After the Navy, John returned to GE’s appliance division and later transferred to its aerospace division in King of Prussia, PA. While working, he took night classes and earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and he became a licensed professional engineer.

“At GE, John was a true rocket scientist. He helped build the Apollo spacecraft that carried astronauts to the moon, working directly with the Apollo astronauts. He worked on reconnaissance satellites for the CIA and served as program manager of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). He also helped put Landsat, the first weather satellite, into orbit. John was one of the leading engineers at the forefront of the nation’s 1960’s space program and he received numerous awards during his GE career. John then joined Webcraft Technologies, one of the world’s leading printing companies, as head of technology. He went on to become Chief Operating Officer, leading more than 2,000 people. An inventor at heart, he held more than 20 patents and developed many new printing technologies. All three of his children worked alongside him at Webcraft, and much of their success is owed to his mentorship, because he challenged them more than anyone else.

“John was adventurous throughout his life and introduced his family to many facets of living, including skiing, camping, fishing, boating, exercise, and a love of dogs. His years as a naval officer gave him a lifelong love of travel, and he shared it with his family on numerous trips around the world. His children continue to carry those passions with them.

“John was a lifelong boatman who owned more than six boats over the years, the largest a 46-foot flybridge sportfishing boat. A U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captain, he loved taking his children fishing in the Hudson Canyon, 100 miles offshore, where they landed huge marlin and tuna together. His love for fishing has been passed along to his children and grandchildren. He took his family on many boat trips up and down the east coast, including an adventurous three-week sailboat trip from Massachusetts to Annapolis when his children were very young. Those trips were among his favorite pursuits. Skiing, too, became a lifelong passion for his children and, in turn, for his grandchildren. Despite his demanding career and rigorous work ethic, John’s true measure was his devotion to family. Everything he accomplished in life was for his wife and three children. He worked hard, but he loved harder. His priority every single day was ensuring that his wife Angel, his children, and later his grandchildren felt secure, safe, happy, and deeply loved.

“Those who knew John in the business world saw his professional accomplishments, but few realized the tender, sensitive side of him. A phone call from Angel or any of his children or grandchildren was all it took — he would drop everything to answer, because ultimately, family was all that mattered to John …

“John met Angel while he was a midshipman at Kings Point, when Angel’s cousin set them up on a blind date. He was very late for the date, and Angel was not happy. Yet, John persisted. On weekends when he had leave, he would hitchhike to see her, and the only way they could go out to the movies was for him to sleep on the kitchen floor of her parents’ apartment. That humble beginning grew into a 70-year love story; they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on August 18 of this year, 2026. John and Angel were the most beloved couple anyone could hope to meet. Their children saw true love in action every day, and that example shaped all three into the loving people they are today.

“John gave his time generously to his community and was always ready to help anyone who needed it.”
Loved ones of John Jones in his obituary

While living in Mantoloking, he was elected to the Borough Council, where he served as dune inspector. He also served on several condominium boards, including as president of a prestigious New York City condominium.

John is survived by: his beloved wife of 70 years, Angela “Angel” R. Jones (née Steele); his children, John C. Jones, Charles Jones and his wife, Sherry, and Jennifer Collier and her husband, Timothy; his grandchildren, Robert Jones and his wife, Lauren, Christina Hudak and her husband, Gerry, Elysia Jones, and Christian, Cole, and Cort Collier; his great-grandchildren, August and Hudson Jones, and newly arrived baby Hudak; his sister, Mary Ann Morris, widow of the late William Morris; and his nephews, William Morris and Timothy Morris.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. James Church, Red Bank, on Friday Oct 23, at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home