ROA expresses its appreciation to the late Maj. Gen. John D. Jones, U.S. Army Reserve, and his beloved wife of nearly thirty years, Dolphine, who in their 1998 trust bequeathed to ROA $50,000.

“On behalf of the members of ROA, in whose ranks General Jones stood tall, we express our thanks to General and Mrs. Jones for this gift, which has appreciated to over $70,000,” said ROA’s executive director, retired Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Phillips. “ROA will put this gift to good use supporting the men and women in the Reserve Components, their families, and veterans of Reserve service, as we have done for over a century.”

Jones, who died in 1999, served in the Army Reserve, ultimately commanding the 87th Maneuver Area Command, established in 1957. The 87th MAC was deactivated in 1993, with the activation of the 87th Division (Exercise). The 87th was redesignated in 1999 the 87th Division (Training Support) and is now known as the 87th Training Division.

Jones grew up in Natural Bridge, Littleville, and Haleyville, Alabama; he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University and worked at Alabama Power, where he met Dolphine (“Dollie”), who also worked there. They were married in 1971. John retired in 1985 as senior vice president in charge of generating plant construction.

When asked what his fondest memories were at Alabama Power, he pointed at Dollie and replied “I met her.” His beloved Dollie died on June 4, 2023.

The general’s college education at Auburn was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1943; he saw combat in Europe and received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster and V device for valor, and the European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two battle stars. A field artillery battery commander at 22, he was released from active duty as a captain and returned to Auburn to complete his studies. 

The young officer was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, afterwards continuing to serve in the Army Reserve. At his 1979 retirement, having served 37 years in both the active and reserve components, he wore a newly awarded Legion of Merit and held a saber presented by his soldiers.

“Major General John David Jones was my mentor even when he was a lieutenant colonel,” recalled retired Maj. Gen. Tom Merrill, who succeeded Jones in command of the 87th. “My most vivid memory involves observing and learning from John’s leadership style. He set an example for no nonsense, no smoke and mirrors, get the job done as planned and on time. Consequently, receiving a good efficiency report from John was very motivational. Serving with Major General Jones was always a stimulating and challenging experience.”

The estate gift notification reached ROA in a letter from their niece and trustee, Christal Brannon, who typed it symbolically on the IBM Selectric typewriter used by Dollie at Alabama Power. Christal revealed to me that “the typed letter was my 4th draft; how to type a letter all came back to me . . . very slowly!”

“When she retired,” Christal wrote us of Dollie, “she refused a party and instead requested her typewriter which she used quite frequently for the rest of her life.”

Christal reports that the only place able to service the Selectric is in Montgomery – and there it periodically goes, to ensure the operation that endeared it to its former owner.