COL Clyde L. Jonas - Cremation Society of Virginia

COL Clyde L. Jonas (US Army Retired)

Date of Death: February 9, 2019

Langley Bethel Chapel at Bethel Manor

1793 1st Street

Hampton, Virginia

Saturday 2/16, 10:00 am

Col. Clyde Jonas, 72, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family and their love on Saturday, February 9, 2019.

Clyde was a native son of Texas, a farm boy who grew up on a San Antonio dairy and loved nothing more than cowboy movies and the open spaces of central Texas. He spent most of the summers of his youth barefoot and outdoors from sunup to sundown, returning home only for a hot meal and a begrudging bath.

Clyde attended Holy Cross High School and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Upon finishing as a distinguished military graduate in ROTC, he was commissioned into the Army on May 26, 1968.

After completing his Ranger training, he started his military career by successfully establishing several firebases protecting the main mountain pass from North to South Vietnam. From there he went on to make a career out of service to his country. A patriot through and through, Clyde spent his life defending his beloved country, earning multiple Legion of Merit Awards, a Bronze Star, a Bronze Star Medal with the “V” device, multiple Meritorious Service Medals and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal to name a few. Clyde ascended to the rank of colonel before retiring from the service on May 31, 1998.

Clyde was a student of history (he earned a master’s in history from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee), scholar of the U.S. military and devout man of God. He loved nothing more than visiting the historic battlefields of the Civil and Revolutionary wars and was often mistaken for a tour guide or park ranger because of his encyclopedic knowledge of U.S. military history.

Clyde was a devoted family man who loved completely. In the army, he traveled the world with his wife Judy, and three daughters Darii, Dawn and DeeDee. His playful spirit and infectious nature made him and the family quick friends wherever they traveled, whether it be Wiesbaden, Germany, Killeen, Texas or Yorktown, Virginia, where the family settled in 1999. In the proceeding years, Clyde devoted himself to his wife, his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Elkins Jonas, daughters Darii Jonas Lane and DeeDee Jonas Camozzi, sons-in-law Donald Lane and Jake Camozzi and grandchildren Rachel, Seth, Phoebe and Augustus, as well as his brother Earl Jonas. He is preceded in death by his daughter Dawn Jonas, brothers James Jonas and Leroy Jonas, sister Anne Jonas Pruitt and grandson Aidan Lane.

Services will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Langley Bethel Chapel at Bethel Manor, 1793 1st Street, Hampton, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation https://glioblastomafoundation.org or use the donate button at the top of the page.

Cremation Society of Virginia-Peninsula assisted the family with arrangements.

Cremation Society of Virginia

James Huggins II

Light a candle

Flowers & Gifts

Arrangements starting at $35

Plant a Tree

Langley Bethel Chapel at Bethel Manor

1793 1st Street

Hampton, Virginia

Map

Saturday 2/16, 10:00 am

Send Flowers & Gifts

Col. Clyde Jonas, 72, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family and their love on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Clyde was a native son of Texas, a farm boy who grew up on a San Antonio dairy and loved nothing more than cowboy movies and the open spaces of central Texas.…

See Condolences

May God Bless COL-Ret Jonas & his beloved Family. Then-Captain Jonas was one of our very best Professors at APSU ROTC; his legacy continues to this day. RIP, great Sir! RLTW/AATW, Jim Huggins (APSU ROTC 1977).

Served with Colonel Jonas as his XO for a year in recruiting command. Even tempered, good natured he was a pleasure to work with. A good man and leader.

I served in his unit on Camp Pieri. I found Jonas to be a bigot. With Jonas present, his Executive Officer once asked junior officers under Jonas' command how often they had sex with their wives? Me being a Black officer married to a German woman, I was offended. I knew the question was directed at me from and by a command structure holding a social neanderthal's view of interracial marriage. Jonas' unit was poorly maintained. By simply following the number of broken-down vehicles scattered along German roads, one could easily pinpoint the unit's movements. I will not address the tragedies that beset Jonas' unit; they simply too depressing to contemplate. A wife has lost her husband and daughters their father. My heart goes out to them in their grief. But, out of respect for my loved ones, I had to write this note out of respect for the grief Jonas' actions caused them.

Sorry for your loses I deserved with him at Camp Pieri and worked in the orderly room until my discharge Good ManJust saw this yesterday

We were so sorry to read about Col. Jonas's passing. He was a great leader and a fine man.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

He was a wonderful neighbor with an infectious smile. Always loved talking to him everyday walking home from school. Taught me the value of a well cared yard and how to love your plants/flowers. Our thoughts go out to the Jonas family.

We were so very sorry to hear about Clyde. Prayers to you all. God bless.

We are so sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

My prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry for your loss. Death can be so hard. May knowing that you are in our prayers comfort you. May the “God of comfort” continue to comfort you, 2 Corinthians 1:3,4. For help in dealing with the loss of a love one feel free to visit this Bible based site. jw.org

Judy, I add the words and “good neighbor!” Love y’all very much! Clyde was a blessing to my parents and a great neighbor! I am missing Dawn today too and precious little Aidan! We are right next door if you need anything. Tim is going to get the leaves for you on Sunday as we don’t want to bother you Saturday. Hugs. Hugs. Hugs. Melanie and Tim

Clyde was a good friend and a great roll model. He will be missed by all.

Dear Judy, I am so sorry to hear of Clyde's passing. He always had such an upbeat attitude about whatever life dealt him. I still remember when he had his jaws wired shut when you guys were on Slayden Circle. As tough as that had to be for him, he would just joke about how thin and handsome he was going to be when the wires came off! He still had that positive attitude when I talked with you guys last year. I know you will miss him terribly, but I know God has given you strength to deal with other loved ones you have lost. I will keep you and the family in my prayers. I will always treasure the friendship we shared. Love, Vennie

DeeDee has been my co-worker and friend for the past few years and is one of the most amazing people I know. I can only imagine she gained some of that infectious spirit and sense of humor from her beloved father. My heartfelt condolences go out to the Jonas family during this difficult time. May you be surrounded by the warm love of his wonderful memories.

My condolences to the Jonas family during this difficult time.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.