Longtime Times-Herald publisher Jones dies

Jimmie Jones worked for paper from 1956-1995

Longtime Vallejo Times-Herald Publisher Jimmie Jones died Tuesday. He was 82.

The prominent Times-Herald employee died in Ward, Ark. Jones worked at the newspaper from 1956 to 1995 — a span that saw nine United States Presidents, from Eisenhower to Clinton, as well as the Giants baseball

club calling New York and San Francisco home.

Jones is survived by his wife, Thelma, along with many children, grand children and great grandchildren.

“I lost the love of my life on Tuesday, my husband Jimmie Jones passed from this life early this morning (Tuesday),” Thelma Jones wrote on Facebook. “When I went to wake him he was gone. He will be missed so much. He did get to see Great Great Grandson Koe last night on the cell phone so I am grateful for that. Thank you Kayla and Tanner. Koe was born at about 4 a.m. that day. I love my family so much. Love you more Jimmie Jones!”

Jimmie’s son, Victor, who lives in Fairfield,

called his father than life.”

“He was very faithful and attended the Lassen Street Church of Christ,” Victor Jones told the Times-Herald on Wednesday. “I mean, what do you say about a man that began his career at the Vallejo Times-Herald as a copy boy and ended up as a publisher? He did it all. He was also a Navy League President and the president of the Vallejo Rotary Club.

“We used to call him Hobby Jimmie as he also used to race cars at Vallejo Speedway,” Victor Jones continued. “He was a photographer, a scuba diver. He learned to fly a plane! He ran an embroidery business, TJ’s Designs. He coached Little League. He loved the Giants and 49ers and took me to games when others couldn’t go. He really did ever y thing.”

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Aside from his numerous hobbies, Jimmie Jones had an influence on many, including Jack F.K. Bungart, the Times-Herald’s current editor.

Bungart worked for Jones when he was hired in 1989.

“Mr. Jones was the publisher when I joined the Times-Herald in 1989, and we had a great relationship,” Bungart said. “I enjoyed many great conversations with Jimmie. He was a positive force in the Vallejo community. The Times-Herald sends our warmest condolences to Jimmie’s family during this difficult time.”

Marcas Grant, a writer and analyst on the NFL Network who was raised in Vallejo, also knew Jimmie Jones very well.

“Jimmie and I went to the same church,” Grant told the Times-Herald via Twitter. “He helped foster my interest in journalism,

often invited me down to the offices to shadow reporters and took a true interest in my young career. RIP.”

No information about

funeral services was available as of Wednesday afternoon.