(1923 – 1994)
Robert Fulton Jones, the first child of the late Victor Cornelius Jones and Minnie Jordan Jones, was born in Macon, Georgia, on February 12, 1923. However, the family soon moved to Union Springs, Alabama, where he spent most of his formative years.
“Bob,” as he was affectionately known, received his high school education from Snow Hill Institute. He earned the B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics from Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama, and an M.A. degree in Adult Education from North Carolina State University. He served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army from March 1945 to December 1946.
His professional career with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service spanned a period of 32 years. His positions included farm agent in Elmore County from 1949 to 1952; farm agent in Montgomery from 1954 to 1966; district agent in Montgomery from 1966 to 1969; resource management specialist in Montgomery from 1969 to 1976; and district agent for special programs in Selma and Montgomery from 1976 until his retirement on January 16, 1981.
From 1952 to 1954, he served as the Agricultural Extension Advisor for the Libyan American Technical Assistance Services, Tripoli, Libya. Much later, after his first official retirement in 1981, Bob accepted a position with the State of Alabama, Department of Agriculture and Industries, as the Assistant Director of Marketing. He retired from this position in 1993.
Mr. Jones was a dedicated professional — a man of principle. Mr. Addre Bryant, retired County Agent-Coordinator in Montgomery County, said this about his friend Bob Jones: “His work ethic was very high. Every day that he came to work, he had a planned agenda. He did not just come to work. I’ve known him for forty years, and he was one of the few who believed in and loved his work.” He believed in what he did, for the goal of the Extension Service was his way of life — caring about people, helping people help themselves. He saw teaching others to be leaders as a way of helping them and will be remembered as a trainer and developer of rural leaders in Montgomery County.
Robert F. “Bob” Jones died on March 19, 1994. He was survived by his devoted wife Myrtle and their three daughters Bobbetta, Cassandra, and Sharolyn. The family lost a devoted husband and father. Extension lost a friend as well as a respected colleague.
In tribute to the man, the name of Robert F. Jones is inscribed on the dedicatory plaque of the Extension Memorial Chapel.
Chapel Plaque Inscription Number: 364
