Melvin P. Jones Jr.

Melvin P. Jones, Jr., 76, of Exton, formerly of West Brandywine Township, passed away Thursday, October 25, 2018 at Neighborhood Hospice of West Chester.  Mel was the beloved husband of Jane A. (Sidelsky) Jones, with whom he shared just over 50 years of marriage.

Born in Ridley Park, Pa, he was the son of the late M. Paul Jones, Sr. and Ann T. (Cauley) Jones. In addition to his wife, Mr. Jones is survived by his children, Elizabeth “Beth” Jones and her husband Nathan “Nate” T. Buchanan, Kenneth P. Jones and his wife Cynthia R. (Stringas) Jones, and by two grandchildren, Jacob S. Cliggett and Kedrick J. Buchanan. He is additionally survived by many sisters-in law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mel was a 1960 graduate of Archmere Academy (DE). He attended Mt. Saint Mary’s College and then served in the United States Air Force (1961-1965) maintaining and repairing planes. He was fond of the years he served, often reminiscing of his time in England and Tripoli, Lebanon. Upon his return to the States, Mel became dedicated to his career as a service technician for IBM. He saw the arch of technology’s advancement, from repairing typewriters to repairing complex copiers and computers. Not known to ever sit still, Mel joined the Chester County Intermediate Unit’s IT department after his retirement from IBM and repaired computers there. Mel also volunteered at Collegium Charter School in its early years, assisting the IT department with computer repairs.

Outside of his career, Mel enjoyed solving problems – he never met a broken piece of equipment he couldn’t fix…or at least jury-rig into working again. Mel was generous with his abilities and was often called on by his children, family, neighbors, and friends to assist with building or fixing something. It was never a problem for him to lend a hand or spend time helping others. Mel treasured spending time with his wife and family, took great pleasure in the company and adventures of his grandsons, relished apprising his children and grandsons of information he read and learned, and enjoyed his regular get-togethers with friends from IBM. And, he loved a nip of scotch now and again.

On Saturday, November 3, 2018, family and friends will be received from 9:15-10:15 a.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 80 South 17th Avenue, Coatesville, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. 

As a final act of generosity and selflessness, Mel donated his body to Humanity Gifts of PA for medical education research. Interment will be private after the research is completed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Neighborhood Hospice of West Chester, or the Chester County Hospital Foundation. All three organizations were pivotal in the treatments and care Mel received during his cancer journey of three and half years. 

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