Herschel D. Jones, Sr.

Herschel D. Jones, Jr., retired United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant has passed away. In addition to his 25 years of service, he had a second career as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service. He loved the Air Force and traveled to exciting places like remote Alaskan islands and the English countryside. His father, who passed away in the Sixties, was a career Navy man. When asked why he chose the Air Force over the Navy, he replied “they’ve never sunk an Air Force base.” Valid. It was good that he became an Air Force cop, because he wasn’t a fan of flying. Once, when he was faced with flying to England with his Irish wife, he asked for some medication to ease the anxiety. The doctor replied, “I hope you’re not flying the plane.” Herschel just laughed and shook his head. Not much else frightened him. While flying wasn’t his thing, driving fast was. When he was younger, he rode motorcycles and lived to tell the tale. He also loved English sports cars. He imported a TR7 and loved driving around with the top down. The car would plant itself on the road and no curve was safe. Such was his love of his children that he’d actually let his eldest son drive. Looking back, his son, now being a passenger in the car driven by Herschel’s grandson Ferris, says “Sorry dad.“ Many of Herschel’s white hairs were no doubt a result of being the passenger when Herschel’s eldest was driving. When he retired from the Air Force, he moved back to his childhood hometown of Vallejo, California to spare his wife the heat of Texas summers. Being back in Vallejo allowed him to spend time with his mother’s family and his siblings, Shirley, Kathy, and Mike. Herschel and his wife Kit lived in Vallejo from the late seventies until her passing in the 2010’s. Afterward he stayed on in their home for several years. During drives around Vallejo, he would pass a spot and tell a story. One of his favorites was running from his two sisters and getting lightly clipped by a car. He was not seriously hurt, but he did have a scar on his back that he’d show oﬀ. Outside of work, he liked a rum and coke or three or four. He’d show up at a local bar with his set of darts. Sober, his aim was good. A few drinks in, and he’d give many an Englishman a run for their money. He could drink a fish under the ocean and be bright and chipper the next morning. He also got a bit talkative. He was known for calling his children after an evening out and asking them if they wanted a sandwich. Never mind they were 1400 miles away in Texas. From a generation of men that had diﬃculty in expressing emotion, he clearly showed his love for his daughter-in-law Sara. Being the father of two boys, he didn’t have a lot of experience with daughters, but he quickly grew to appreciate her. He loved her as much as his own children. He loved her cooking. His wife had been Irish and Sara, being from Texas, broadened his menu with Texas and Southern classics. In his later years, he trusted her skill as an attorney to run his finances and make smart decisions on his behalf. He knew she’d take care of him, and he trusted her implicitly. He cared for his children and his grandkids. His refrigerator sunk several inches into the floor under the weight of the pictures on it. In his grandson Ferris’s mind, no grilled cheese sandwich will ever compare to Grandpa’s. Do not mourn him. His life wasn’t perfect, but he was deeply loved by his family. He traveled widely with his wife and was there for graduations and weddings. He had two careers that he loved and excelled at. Three careers when you consider the years, effort and devotion to advocating for others in his role as a union representative for the letter carriers. He drove fast and lived to tell the stories. He gets to rest now, and he will be deeply missed. He’s oﬀ into that wild blue yonder. Herschel is survived by two sons, their wonderful wives, five grandchildren, and his brother Mike Jones. He was predeceased by his wife of almost 40 years, his parents, a son, and his two sisters. Full Military Honors will be held on Friday, July 24th at 9 AM at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA.

Herschel D. Jones, Sr.

May 14, 1936 - May 25, 2026