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Charles Belden Jones
March 5, 1933 Jan. 23, 2010
jones
Charles “Chuck” Belden Jones, 76, passed away peacefully on Jan. 23. His wife and his family were by his side.
Born in Washington D.C., Chuck spent his childhood in D.C. and on the family farm in Virginia. After graduating high school, he served as an aide in the U.S. Senate, and spent two years in the U.S. Navy as a submariner. He went on to earn a B.S. in Economics from the University of Maryland.
Chuck yearned to travel, and struck out across Route 66 to California. Soon after arriving in San Francisco, he took a position as a senior data analyst for Fireman's Fund Insurance. It was through a company event that he met his co-worker and future bride, Melba. As newlyweds, Chuck and Melba toured Europe in a new Mercedes that they purchased from the factory in Stuttgart, Germany — the first of their international adventures.
In 1967, Chuck took a position with Bechtel Corporation, where he remained for 21 years. His work took him, Melba, and their children around the world while fulfilling a three-year stint in Saudi Arabia. Chuck retired in 1988, and moved from San Mateo to Turlock to be close to Melba’s family and friends.
Chuck loved to watch sports, football in particular. He had a love of jazz, big band, and swing music, and he and Melba made excellent dance partners.  He liked to attend the Monterey Jazz Festival. Cribbage and Tournament Bridge came naturally to Chuck, and he was an artist in front of a barbecue grill. He will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.
Chuck is survived by his wife, three sons, three daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, two nieces and four nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 29 at the First Presbyterian Church of Turlock, 2619 N. Berkeley Ave., Turlock, CA. 95382.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Turlock, or the Hospice of Emanuel.