Ralph Holland Jones

Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces funeral services for Ralph Holland Jones, age 79, of Blairsville, Georgia, who passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at Union General Hospital.

Ralph was born June 9, 1934 in Essex, Missouri. He proudly attended Missouri Rolla School of Mines and earned a commission in the United States Army serving in the Army Corps. of Engineers. He met his wife of 41 years, Lorraine Jones while working for Pittsburgh Plate & Glass in Illinois. They had 3 children together. Ralph began coaching little league while his children played and continued to coach for the next 10 years even becoming president of the association for 2 years. He loved the sport and the impact he was able to have on the youth.With a distinguished career as a NASA Electronic Engineer, Ralph was involved with every major space exploration program over the course of 30 years until his retirement in 1989. His work was instrumental in notable programs such as Gemini, Mercury, Apollo and the Shuttle program. For many years Ralph resided in Florida, but began a summer home in Blairsville in 1977. Lorraine passed away in 1998 and Ralph was blessed to find love again in 1999 when he was married to Mrs. Ruby Brothers Jones.

He enjoyed may activities including boating, camping, traveling, motorcycling, fishing and hunting. His genuine passion though was the Lord. He was honored to serve as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Edgewater, Florida and then upon moving to Blairsville full-time at First Baptist Church of Blairsville. Ralph's ministry was helping people and participating in the background of events so that God would receive all the glory. His advice and mentorship will be missed by all.

He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him, but especially missed by his family: loving wife, Ruby Jones; daughter, Vicky Gayle Evans; sons, Kevin Ralph Jones & Keith Edward Jones; step-son, Bobby Brothers; adoptive brother, Clarence Ellis Jones; step brother, Robert Neal Morrison; grandchildren, Casey Putnal, Matthew Evans, Ryan Jones, Corey Jones, Keaton Jones and Connor Jones and great grandchild, Tailyn Putnal. 5 step grandchildren & 7 step great grandchildren also share in his legacy.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2014 from First Baptist Church of Blairsville with Rev. Danny Parris & Dr. Fred Lodge officiating. Special music will be presented by Minister of Music: R. Terry Hooper. The family will receive friends from 10 until the service hour. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Horace Parker, Ryan Showalter, Joe Satterfield, George Radcliff, Larry Culpepper and John Killebrew. Interment will be held at Sea Pines Memorial Gardens in Edgewater, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the local hospice organization of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville.