James Earl "Jim" Jones, 82, of Dunbar, passed away on Friday, November 11, 2011, at Hubbard Hospice House West in South Charleston.

He joins his beloved wife of 54 years, Gwendolyn Maurice Sobczak Jones, who passed away on September 17, 2011.

Jim was born May 20,1929 in St. George, and graduated from Parsons High School in 1947. He earned his Baccalaureate degree from Davis & Elkins College in Elkins and his Masters degree from West Virginia University. Jim served as a medic in the US Army during the Korean War and was stationed at Ft. Rucker, Alabama and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC.

Jim worked for the State of West Virginia Division of Vocational Rehabilitation his entire professional life. After a long and distinguished career he retired in the fall of 1999 as the Deputy Director of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Throughout their lives, Jim and Gwen owned a few businesses in Dunbar, the B & J Grocery, a Dairy Bar and an antique store.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Gwendolyn Maurice Sobczak Jones, father, Carlos Ford Jones, mother, Lena Louise Goff Jones and grandson, Franklin Canterbury, III.

Jim and Gwen were married on April 11, 1957 and have four children and eight grandchildren who are left to cherish their memories. Jayme (Frank) Canterbury, Jo Elizabeth (Mike) Brown, Jan (Mick) Weedy and James (Amber) Earl Jones, II. They have eight grandchildren who were the loves of their lives, Tristan, Nicholas and Morgan Canterbury, Maximilian Brown and Alex, Ashley, Ayden and Austin Jones. Jim is also survived by many relatives and friends.

A memorial service and celebration of Jim and Gwen's lives will be held April 2012, the month of their wedding anniversary, at Parsons City Cemetery, Parsons.

Donations in memory of Jim and Gwen can be made to Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Kennawa Drive, Charleston, WV 25311 or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements were in the care of Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.