Raymond A. Jones Jr., 74, of Merritt Island, FL died Thursday, February 1, 2024. Ray will always be remembered as a jokester, his love for playing baseball and volleyball. But mostly for his enjoyment boating and crabbing in New Jersey with his family and friends.

Ray served in the US Army in 1969, in South Korea. When discharged from the army, he continued his service for his country working as a civilian in the US government.

Ray started his career working in Fort Monmouth, NJ in procurement as a contract specialist for the U.S. Army Contracting. His career took him to many locations, transferring to Frankfurt, Germany supporting U.S. Army Europe Contracting Command as a contracting officer. While working there, he was deployed to Bosnia during the war in 1995 to set up contingency contracting operations to support the effort. In 1999 he relocated to the United States Army Garrison, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico as a contracting officer. Moving back to Alexandria, Virginia in 2001, he continued his career supporting U.S. Army Contracting.

Ray moved to Merritt Island, Fl, after retirement. He enjoyed sitting on his balcony overlooking the Banana River watching the SpaceX launches from the Kennedy Space Center. You could always find Ray visiting with his friends at The Island Waterfront Bar and Grill.

Ray is survived by his son, Joe Jones, Long Branch, NJ; his sister Sue Emer, Tucson, AZ; and his nephew Sean Emer, Los Angeles, CA.

Ray will be missed!