Jones – Okey L. Jones, age 89, of Tampa, Florida passed away on Sunday May 29, 2011 at Melech Hospice House with family by his side. He was born in Covington, VA on April 1, 1922 to the late Hida F. Jones and Mabel Kemper Jones. He served his country during World War II for four years in the United States Navy, and was deployed in South Pacific on the ship Samuel T. Darling when his ship was torpedoed by the Japanese at Okinawa, Japan. He and four other sailors floated on a life raft for eleven days. They survived on only one sea ration biscuit and four ounces for water twice a day. They were rescued by a Dutch transport boat, and were only given half of a sandwich, due to their poor condition. Okey worked for Raleigh Hardware for several years in Beckley, West Virginia, after returning from the military. He worked for Wilson's Meat Company for thirty years, and then worked for Blue Ribbon Meat Company in Tampa, Florida until it closed. He worked at the Fair Grounds in Tampa, Florida for eight years before he retired. Okey was preceded in death by his wife, Lily Mae Jones; his daughter, Eunice "Sissy" Jones; his sister, Francis Pauline Jones; his brothers, Dover "Bob" Jones and Paul D. Jones; and his sons, Jeffery and Edward "Huey" Neats.
He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia "Jenny" Dicandio Jones of Tampa, FL; his sons, Everett R. "Jeep" (Donna) Jones of Seffner, FL, Frank (Gwen) Jones of Tampa, Fl, and Donald (Glenda) Neats of Tampa, FL; his brothers, Fred (Louise) Jones of Roanoke, VA and John (Shirley) Jones of Covington, VA; his sisters, Beatrice (Fred) Smith of Starke, FL, Lucille (Howard) Morrison of Winter Haven, FL, and Mary Pagan of Tampa, FL; his 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and over 100 nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 11:00 am at Archie Tanner Funeral Services with Pastor Wayne Spratlin officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Congregational Methodist Church Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 from 10:30 – 11:00 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make dontations to LifePath Hospice, 11125 North 52nd Street, Temple Terrace, FL, 33617. Arrangements are under the care and direction of ARCHIE TANNER FUNERAL SERVICES Starke, FL. 904-964-5757.

Early Bio- Former Employee at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.