George Frederic Jones
1/25/1897-12/29/1973
George enlisted in the US Army, serving as an ambulance driver 592d Ambulance Service 5-21-17 serving in France until 4/2/1919. Awarded French Croix e Guerre with Bronze Star; Overseas 8/7/1917-4/2/1919.
He was a freelanced writer during the war for the Rutland Herald and he was the first reporter to interview Calvin Coolidge after suddenly becoming President upon the death of President Harding. Although, he said he was 15 minutes late for the official swearing in, he did get the first interview. He also was honored to be a pall bearer for the funeral of President Coolidge.
(George was the Vermont Chairman of the GOP for many years).
George returned to Rutland, VT to study and work at his fathers law firm in 1922. He served as an attorney until elected to the office of Rutland District Attorney in 1943 and served as Rutland Probate Judge from 1944-1965.
Post #31 Commander 1921-22 prior to his prestigious legal and political careers in Rutland.
He was a avid Bridge player and had been known to win area tournaments.
1942-43 he served as District Defense Director during WWII era providing guidance to area residence about National security and defense.
He was made Chairman for the Rutland Homecoming events of General Leonard F. Wing.
Memberships in the Vermont and American Bar Association, GOP-state chairman, American Legion, National Ambulance Service Veterans. Rutland Free and Accepted Masons, Past Commander of Killington Commandery 6 of the Knights Templar; Past Potentate of Cairo Temple.
A 1961 judicial decision, (which was later over turned in Supreme Court), denying a white couple from adopting a black child, caused a tirade of articles in the Rutland Herald and contributed to the defeat of Judge Jones in 1964 by Democratic candidate Henry Battles.
1968 George became secretary/treasurer of the Evergreen Cemetery.
1973, while on vacation with his wife in Sarasota, Florida, George died. His funeral held at the Grace Congregational Church and he is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery. George was 76 years old.
