Gene Marneal Jones, 82, of La Porte, Ind., peacefully passed away Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born Jan. 26, 1939, on the family farm in Martin County, Ind., to Paul H. and Catherine L.(Bouer) Jones.
Gene attended Loogootee, Ind., public schools. A 1957 graduate, he was active in athletics and the band. In 1961, he graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor of arts degree. Later, he received his LLB in 1963 and was licensed to practice law.
Gene proudly served in the U.S. Air Force, where he was a member of the Judge Advocate General Corps. He was honorably discharged in 1966 as a captain.
In 1966, he joined the La Porte, Ind., law firm of Newby, Lewis & Kaminski, which later became Newby, Lewis, Kaminski & Jones in the early 1970s. He retired from NLK&J in 2009.
Professionally, Gene was a member of all local bar associations. He was also a member of the American Bar Association, the International Association of Defense Counsel, and the American College of Trial Attorneys, into which he was inducted in London, England, in 1985.
Personally, Gene was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, the Indiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the La Porte American Legion. A fan of the game of golf, he was a member at Beechwood Golf Course and Sand Creek Country Club.
Gene loved the land and the outdoors. He planted thousands of trees, gardened, and fashioned his own game preserve in La Porte County.
On Nov. 2, 1997, in Charlotte, N.C., he married Cynthia Marie Ann Dolezal, who survives.
Also surviving are his sons, David P. (Kris) Jones, Daniel G. (Stephanie) Jones and Eric J. (Kelli) Jones; stepson, David (Stephanie) Rockbell; and several grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Paul H. Jones, on Dec. 15, 1993; mother, Catherine L. Jones, on Jan. 7, 2000; and sister, Sharon Kay Bohlinger, on Sept. 26, 2014.
A private immediate family graveside service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, 102 G St., La Porte, Ind. 46350, or to the donor’s choice.
Messages of condolence may be posted below.