Harlan DeLoss Jones of Bellingham, WA passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2010, one month shy of his 99th birthday. Harlan and his twin sister, Helen, were born on a farm outside of Minonk, Illinois on January 29, 1912 to Alfred and Mae (Moomaw) Jones. Harlan graduated from Eureka College in Illinois in 1941 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry.
In January of 1942 he married his long-time love, Marjorie Grassman, and the newlyweds set out for Louisville, KY, where Harlan worked for Curtiss-Wright during WW II. His 35-year career in Materials and Process Engineering enabled the family to live in four more states, culminating at Raytheon in Andover, Massachusetts. During his professional life, Harlan wrote hundreds of standards and specifications for materials and manufacturing processes, and published three books on aluminum. A highlight among Harlan’s significant professional contributions was in 1951 when he developed a method for making paint adhere to supersonic aircraft. Subsequently this process became mandatory for all military aircraft and ground vehicles. These professional accomplishments were recognized by his alma mater through the Alumni Award of Merit in 1991. Harlan’s keen scientific mind led him to hundreds of creative ideas over the years. In 1939 he filed a patent application for a hot-cold water valve and in 1956 published a book entitled “100 Needed Inventions.”
In retirement Harlan and Marjorie relocated to Bellingham, WA. They have been members of First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham since 1981 and actively involved in a Koinonia group for many years, from which they developed lasting friendships. Harlan was an excellent photographer, which has been documented in over 3,600 feet of home movies, over 5,000 slides, and sixty-five photo albums! Bird-watching, gardening, genealogy and traveling were Harlan’s other avid interests. He traveled to all fifty states, Canada, and many countries in Western Europe.
Harlan is survived by Marjorie, his loving wife of 68 years, three children, Martha (Charles) Ashton of Virginia, Todd (Allison) Jones of Bellingham, and Carole Jones (Bernard Jalbert) of Seattle. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Harlan’s life was held on Monday, January 3 at Moles Greenacres Funeral Chapel, Ferndale, WA. The family wishes to thank the staff of Orchard Park Assisted Living and Whatcom Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Whatcom Hospice or the First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham.