Francis Gerard Jones Jr. (Gery) April 30,1940-April 4,2024
Francis Gerard Jones Jr. (Gery) passed away at the age of 84 leaving this world a lesser place without
him. Gery was born in Nevada as the second of five children, and the first son of Connie and Francis Sr.
The family moved to Santa Rosa where Gery met the one and only love of his life Sherry Lain at the
Roxy movie theater. Gery was the manager and Sherry worked the concession stand. They were not much more than kids when they took their vows of marriage that lasted 64 years. The love and adoration Gery had for his wife could never be captured with words.
After learning what the plumbers were making in wages when they worked on the Roxy, Gery was
determined to become a plumber. When Gery’s application was rejected by Empire Plumbing and
Heating, he showed up at the company daily to change their minds. His tenacious effort was eventually noticed by the owner Youl Baker, who agreed to give him a job. Gery’s work ethic and wisdom served him well as the years passed and he rose from apprentice to journeyman and eventually owner of the company with partner John King.
In the1970’s, having earned seven separate California Contractors licenses, Gery sold his half of Empire
Plumbing and Heating to his partner and set out as an entrepreneur.
Gery opened Universal Plumbing and Building and from that point on, Gery built every home his family
ever lived in with his own hands.
The first home Gery built was in the foothills of Santa Rosa where he and Sherry turned the estate into a
self-supporting ranch, complete with horses, cows’ chickens, rabbits, pigs, and a large garden. On this
ranch Gery taught his family the value of hard work and what it is like to live off of the land. From
growing their own food, raising beef and pork, to collecting fresh eggs and milking the cow.
With his vast knowledge of uniform building code and pride in everything he did, and after leaving the
legacy of the many homes he built, Gery became the Lassen County Building Inspector where he served
the community with integrity and excellence before retiring.
Gery was a Christian man, and his faith was strong. He was a deacon in his church, a teacher, a mentor,
and a witness for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was humble, generous, honorable, kind and lived
his faith. He touched so many lives with his testimony, it is imposable to put a number on it. Gery was the
father of three children in whom he instilled his moral compass. His children adored him and continue
today to live by their father’s example.
To say Gery was a sportsman and loved the outdoors is a big understatement. He was an avid abalone
diver and taught many to negotiate the dangerous waters of the northern Pacific Coast from Jenner to Fort Bragg.
The second half of Gery’s life was spent in the High Sierras or what he liked to call “God’s Country.”
From Truckee to Janesville California, Gery proved he was a true and tough mountain man. He hunted
deer, elk, wild pigs, ducks, geese, and pheasants. The challenge Gery loved most was sport fishing. From the many streams and rivers in the Northern California mountains to the alpine lakes of the Sierra
Mountains, Gery mastered the art of catching trout.
Gery was one of a kind and all who knew him could see that he lived a life filled with love, compassion,
humor, adventure, devotion to his beliefs and adoration for his wife Sherry who he called “Charley” as a term of affection.
Gery is survived by his beloved wife Sherry, his three children, Teri, Tony and Dina, his four siblings Ave,
Dotti, Patrick and Jenny Lea as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces,
nephews, and friends. Specifically, Daughter, Dina Bevan and her husband Brian Bevan, of Janesville, Ca.
Kymberlea Dehoney and her husband Thomas Dehoney of Baltimore MD, Jack Antonucci and his wife Hanna Antonucci and soon to be great granddaughter, Liliana Rosalie Antonucci of Streetsboro OH,
Alexandra Antonucci of Janesville Ca. and Ethan and Katie Bevan and their children Daniel, Alex and
Wren Bevan of Janesville Ca. Also, Daughter Teri Guthrie of Rohnert Park Ca., Michelle Feeney and her
husband Anthony Feeney of Rohnert Park, Ca. Kristi Schuetz, and her husband Rob as well as great grandson Ezra Schuetz of Rohnert Park Ca. Son, Anthony Jones of Vacaville Ca, Angelina Jones of
Vacaville Ca, and Amanda Jones of Janesville Ca,