David Lynn Jones' Obituary
David Lynn Jones, 87, of Culpeper, VA, passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026, at The Culpeper. He was born on November 13, 1938, to the late Walter Bert Jones and Maxine Laura Bennett Jones in Columbus, OH.
David proudly served in the United States Navy, retiring with the rank of Commander after a distinguished career that included service during the Vietnam War.
Mastering classical piano in his youth, David played bass drum, bassoon, and tuba in his high school marching band in addition to tympany, percussion, and bass in the orchestra. He also swam competitively, holding several state records. These activities continued at Ohio State (marching band and swim team) but soon had to take a back seat to NROTC (Assistant Platoon Leader; Commander Color Guard) and the demands of an exacting five-year Industrial Engineering Program.
Upon graduation, David was assigned to the USS Pluck (MSO-464) in Long Beach, CA, as Engineering Officer. While aboard, he applied his engineering skills and accomplished a first- ever engine repair at sea that became a USN standard practice. He was next sent to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey CA, where he earned a Master of Science in Advanced Physics and Mathematics. His next assignment was aboard the USS Soley (DD-707) in Charleston, SC, as Operations Officer. In February of 1967, he began his tour in Vietnam (Feb 67-Jul 69), assigned to Amphibious Group One out of San Diego, CA. As a Meteorologist and Intelligence Officer, he prepared and briefed environmental forecasts for ship, aircraft, and amphibious warfare operations in the Pacific/Indian Ocean theaters. The accuracy of his forecasts led to appointment as Fleet Meteorologist, reporting directly to the Admiral, USN Commander of Amphibious Group One.
For his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross), Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and 2 bronze stars, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, and Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1060 device.
Subsequent assignments included Officer-in-Charge, Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory Research Detachment, Bermuda; Aide to the Vice Admiral/Director of ASW Programs, and instructor at the US Naval Academy (Meteorology/Oceanography).
David had multiple tours/years at the Pentagon during which he developed the concept and led the program through DOD and Congressional approval through successful build and deployment of the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor (SURTASS) Program for the detection and tracking of submarines. This system significantly contributed to ending the Cold War.
Upon retirement, David had a subsequent 30+ year successful career in the DC area as a Senior Systems Engineer/Systems Architect supporting Federal Agencies, including the DOE, NSA, NASA, and the FAA.
David was also an avid sailor. He was a sailing instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy and became an expert under the tutelage of the Academy Sailing Master. This was to lead to many years of sailing on the Chesapeake Bay in a 40-ft ocean racer and a 52-ft ketch--never a loss in a pickup race in the C&C 40—much to the delight of his crew. To our Captain, Fair Winds and Following Seas.
David is survived by his partner and companion of 42 years, Rebecca; his brothers, William Bennett Jones and Roger Alan Jones; and a host of additional family and friends.
In addition to his parents, David is preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Bert Jones, and two sons, John William Jones and Mark Andrew Jones.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, VA. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The family invites those unable to attend to view via livestream link https://together.oneroomstreaming.com/LAFT6Y
Interment will follow at Culpeper National Cemetery, 501 E. Chandler Street, Culpeper, VA, with full military honors provided by the U.S. Navy.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at https://www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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