Samuel Hart Jones Jr.

Samuel Hart Jones Jr, 84, passed peacefully at home in Elk Grove, CA on August 9, 2024. Sam was the beloved son of Marion and Samuel Jones and was born on September 20, 1939. Coincidentally, that was the same day that his father was born and he would later share that birthdate with his youngest son Samuel III. Sam was immensely proud of being born and raised in South Philadelphia and loved to share stories about his hometown. After graduating from high school, Sam briefly joined the Army National Guard before he began his twenty-one-year career with the United States Air Force. 

Sam and his future bride, Ruby Delores White, grew up only blocks away from each other in South Philadelphia and have known each other since childhood. They both attended Edward W. Bok Technical High School and it was there where they would fall in love and declare that they had found their match. In 1959, he and Ruby married and began what would be a wonderful 65-year journey of partnership that included raising a family, entertaining, extensive travel, and making lifelong friendships. They became parents for the first time with the birth of a daughter, Autumn, in 1961. Over the next nine years they would add three sons: Aaron in 1964, Anthony in 1968 and Samuel in 1969. 

Sam received numerous awards and citations before he was honorably discharged in 1980, retiring as a Master Sergeant at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA. After leaving the military he found employment with UC Davis Medical Center as a supervisor for the boiler plant mechanics where he worked for many years.

It was well-known that Sam was a ferocious Pittsburgh Steelers fan and only his love for Bridge could surpass his love for the Steelers. If it was a Monday, Bridge was the order of the day. Sam had a kind spirit, was light hearted and was always ready to tease you, if he liked you. As a father he was always supportive and easy to talk to when one of his children came to him looking for a solution to a problem. He was a proud member of various organizations and maintained those memberships even when he was stationed overseas. Noble Sam Jones was a Shriner International member of Alcazar Temple #179, a member of Philomathean Lodge #2, and Advisor to the Eastern Stars, Adah Chapter #1.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Autumn Jones and grandson Derek Siler. He is survived by his devoted wife Ruby and loving sons Aaron (Winnie) Jones, Anthony and Samuel III (Malaika) Jones; sister, Barbara (Ayman) Mekhail; grandchildren Brian Jones (Michelle), Anthony Jones Jr., Jahi Jones, Sydney Clay, Miles Jones and Aaron Jones Jr.; great-grandchildren, Maxwell Siler, Ahmelia Siler, Edward Clark III, Evriel Clark, Ezayah Clark and Delilah Jones; cousins Duane Grier, William Holiday, Barbara Griffin and other relatives and life-long friends.

Funeral services and burial will be held at East Lawn Funeral Home, 9189 E. Stockton Boulevard, Elk Grove, CA on Saturday August 31, 2024 at 10:30 AM. Repass to follow at the Masonic Hall, 3741 Altos Ave., Sacramento, CA 95838 at 1:00 PM.