Col. Frederic Gordon Jones, Sr. USAF (Ret.), after twenty eight years of military service, passed away peacefully at his residence at Franke at Seaside on February 25, 2026. His life was marked by devotion to family healing, teaching, and service.

Fred is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Lynn Peterson Jones and their three children: Ruth Jones Lilly (Steve) of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; Gordon Jones (Jennifer) of North Augusta, South Carolina; and Ashley Jones Lawrence of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He leaves behind five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, who affectionately called him Papa. Fred is preceded in death by his grandchild, David Shriver Soliday, IV.

Born in Coral Gables, Florida, on March 1, 1933, he was the son of the late Gordon Jones and Annie Laurie Bibb Jones. Dr. Jones grew up in Waycross, Georgia, and completed his undergraduate studies at Wofford College and the University of Georgia. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed his training at Emory University's program at Grady Hospital in Atlanta, ultimately earning board certification in internal medicine and cardiology. He was an accomplished physician whose career spanned five decades and reflected a deep commitment to patient care, education, and public service.

A designated Naval flight surgeon and Air Force medical corps, he retired as a Colonel after leading cardiology departments and founding residency programs. He later became Chief Medical Officer at Anderson Area Medical Center, where he continued practicing clinical cardiology and championed community health initiatives. As a clinical professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and adjunct faculty at Clemson University, he helped to establish the stadium aid stations, and was a cardiology consultant to the athletic department. Dr. Jones spent 25 years as a volunteer at free metabolic clinics. He was a national Baldridge Quality Examiner. Dr. Jones underscored his lifelong dedication to improving lives through medicine.

Following retirement, Fred and his wife Lynn made their home in the mountains of western North Carolina, where he enjoyed hiking, fly fishing, and his favorite pastime - croquet.

Later in life, Fred and Lynn returned to the Lowcountry, fully embracing the welcoming rhythm of their community at Franke at Seaside. He spent his days playing croquet, swimming and engaging in spirited bridge games, and delighting in the chance to share his deep love and knowledge of opera and classical music.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, March 5, 2026 in the St. Andrews Mount Pleasant - Historic Church at 2:00 pm, followed by a reception in Sams Hall. Interment with Military Honors will be held Friday, March 6, 2026 in Beaufort National Cemetery at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Porter-Gaud Foundation designated for the Shriver Soliday Memorial Scholarship and Endowment, the Anderson Free Clinic, Anderson County, South Carolina, and Apparo Academy, Augusta, Georgia.

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