Marshall Wilson Jones, retired Cape administrator
Marshall Wilson Jones, 80, of Rehoboth Beach, surrounded by his loving family, passed away Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md.
Marshall was born March 10, 1936, in Ellendale, where he was raised, the son of the late Arthur R. and Martha L. (Collins) Jones. He graduated from Milford High School in 1954 where he was All-State in football, and also played baseball. He attended the University of Delaware where he earned a degree in education, graduating in 1958. He later earned his master's of education degree in educational administration from the University of Delaware.
Mr. Jones was very active in ROTC during his college years. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. Additionally, he then served in the Delaware National Guard for several years following his service with in the Army.
In the 1960s, Mr. Jones began his career in what is now the Cape Henlopen School District, teaching fifth and sixth grades at Rehoboth Elementary School. Several years later he moved to what is now the Indian River School District, where he continued on as principal of John M. Clayton and Frankford elementary schools.
In 1971, Mr. Jones moved back to the Cape area, when the Milton, Lewes and Rehoboth Beach school districts consolidated, becoming the Cape Henlopen School District. At that time, he accepted the position of becoming the supervisor of elementary education and special programs for the newly-formed Cape district.
In the late 1970s, Mr. Jones became the director of kindergarten through grade 12 for that district. He then became the assistant superintendent in 1980. In 1992, Mr. Jones became the acting and then interim superintendent for the Cape Henlopen School District. He retired in 1995 after 36 years in his educational career as assistant superintendent for the district.
Marshall and his wife Sallie resided in the home they built in Henlopen Acres. He was the treasurer and a member of the Henlopen Acres Beach Club, and served as a member of the Henlopen Acres Board of Adjustment. He was a master avid gardener, designing and creating flower beds that captured the imagination with sky-high sunflowers, vegetables, statues and garden arches surrounded by well-manicured lawns. He also enjoyed birds, music, skiing, sports, was a talented baseball player, and had been a dedicated Little League coach when his son Jeff played. He loved skiing, and was a loyal University of Delaware football fan, having been a lifelong, season-ticket holder.
His most cherished precious times, however, were those spent with his close-knit family and loved ones. Marshall Wilson Jones, husband, father, granddad, friend, and more, treasured his family gatherings. Most memorable are the bountiful Thanksgiving dinners and lovely summer suppers overlooking his resplendent gardens, spending sunny days at the beach gatherings and his grandchildren, who were the apples of his eye. He was a caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be deeply and genuinely missed by everyone who knew him. The loving mentor and patriarch of the Jones Family, Marshall Wilson Jones will be deeply missed and cherished always.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his sister, Katherine French. He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Sallie (Wagamon) Jones; his daughter, Debbie Ohlmacher and her husband Bill of Bethesda, Md.; his sons: Jeff Jones and his wife Nancy of Los Gatos, Calif., and John Jones and his wife Paula of Kensington, Md.; his grandchildren: Scott Ohlmacher and his wife Charmaine, Megan Ohlmacher, David Jones, Mary Jones, and the newest addition, 6-month-old Daphne Jones; and not to be forgotten, his loyal Havanese, Zoey.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 4, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Epworth Methodist Cemetery, Henlopen Avenue, Rehoboth Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest contributions in Mr. Jones' memory to the Johns Hopkins Department of Surgery in support of Dr. Andrew Cameron. Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University and forward to: Bridget Cashen, Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 550 North Broadway, Suite 722, Baltimore, MD, 21205. To make an online gift via credit card, please visit: https://secure.jhu.edu/form/surgery. Contributions can also be made to the Beebe School of Nursing: Beebe Healthcare, Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing in care of the Beebe Medical Foundation at 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
Please visit Mr. Jones's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
