Arnold Ray Jones, age 70, of Detroit, Michigan died Thursday January 23, 1997 of natural causes.

He was a retired audio-visual and display manager of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan, where he was employed for 37 years. He was responsible for starting the annual giant lighted Christmas tree shape of the 21-story Detroit headquarters. He was also a professional writer, photographer and artist. He produced and narrated a travelog called “Europe in the Caribbean” and was frequently a featured public speaker on various subjects.

Mr. Jones was born July 20, 1926 in Indiana, son of Harry and Marie (Endicott) Jones, spent part of World War II as a civilian appointee at George Army Air Field near Vincennes, Indiana, then as chief clerk for an Army Air Force Recruiting Office. He was employed in the oil industry for several years before coming to Detroit in the 50’s. Then he earned a certificate in advertising from the University of Michigan at Rackham Center.

He was past president of the Junior Advertising Club of Detroit and past director of Public Information for the Great Lakes Region of the Civil Air Patrol, USAF auxiliary, holding the rank of Major.

After moving to Pontiac in 1959, he formed the Pontiac Knolls Good Neighbor Club, a subdivision environmental group and served as president until his death.

Mr. Jones was a twelfth generation descendant of John Endicott, first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and first president of the United Colonies.

His mother, Marie Endicott Jones was named Michigan’s top color photographer in 1959, the year of her death. His deceased father, Harry Jones was employed in the telecommunications industry.

Arnold R. Jones  never married, he leaves a sister, Ann Adamo, a former singer-dancer-model in the Detroit area, as well as many friends in the arts and show business.

Interment at Perry Mount Park Cemetery, Pontiac, Michigan.

Published in Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI) – Sunday, January 26, 1997