Paul Merritt Jones, Jr.

Paul Merritt Jones, Jr. was born May 11, 1929, in Medina, Ohio, first child to Paul and Kathryn Jones.  He was called "PM" to most and was revered in his hometown and beyond as a gentleman, intellectually curious, a walking history book, and a steadfast and loyal friend.

PM was a loving father to his three girls Katy, (first female born in the Jones family in over 200 years), Merritt and Kristina.

A seventh generation Medina native, PM was proud to raise his family in this small town where he enjoyed a childhood riding bikes, raising a cow, selling the family's chicken eggs, toiling in the town's pickle factory, and witnessing his mother's generosity feeding hungry homeless men in the depths of the Depression with sandwiches and glasses of milk. He took pride in his family's history with the Old Phoenix Bank and the Lafayette family farm (later Jones Turkey Farm). 

After graduating from Western Reserve Academy in 1947, he went on to Colgate University (class of '51), where once he had a sit down talk at the Delta Upsilon fraternity house with Elenor Roosevelt. Many life-long friendships endured from these two schools throughout his life.

PM served in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. His departure for boot camp was especially burdened by the knowledge that his mother had breast cancer.  Their goodbye at the train station proved to be the last time he would see her.

After his service, he returned to Medina to begin his entrepreneurial career. His successes included TCI Leasing, a 40-year business that employed many and provided vehicles, trucks and equipment to people and companies throughout Ohio and beyond. He also achieved his dream of opening a community bank, Western Reserve Bank, in 1998, and was dearly proud of the Board of Directors and employees and others who helped make this dream come true. PM took special enjoyment taking visits in his bank office, and friends often would stop in to the bank just to see him.

In the summer of 1962, while picking up his favorite WRA professor, Jiggs Reirden, from the Cleveland Hopkins airport, he was briefly introduced to one Hannah Randall Hart of Hudson, Ohio, and this happenstance changed his life.  For weeks he angled for ways to meet her again, and finally through mutual friends they were invited to the same party. He courted her, and they were married 6 months later on December 22, 1962. They were married for 55 years, until Hannah's passing in 2017.

In the early 70's, PM took his love of history and of Medina to become a founding member of the town CDC (Community Design Committee), which was responsible for the facade redesign and beatification of downtown Medina to its original Victorian spender: It continues to be recognized nationally as one of the most beautiful towns in America.

In the early 80's, when not many people knew the word "Hospice," PM was instrumental in helping build one in Medina County. He remained active with hospice for almost 40 years, in Ohio and North Carolina.

PM loved nothing more than putting people together that he thought would have a connection. He loved good wine, food and intelligent conversation.  He would keep family and guests for hours at the dining room table encouraging them to talk while he would continue eating and enjoying the company. He was a nature lover, avid reader, and treasured his time in the Canadian back woods.

PM Jones left this world January 26 with his three girls by his side. He had many fans throughout his life, and of them all his three girls were the most adoring.  He is preceded in death by his wife Hannah, his brother David(Dottie) and his sister Judy Kolb Wainwright.

He is survived by his daughters Katy (Roland) McReynolds, Merritt Jones, Kristina (Clyde) Edgerton, adoring grandchildren Emerson, Nathaniel, Hannah, Ridley and Truma, sister Linda (Andy) Schultz and many nieces and nephews, and cousin, Skip (Cathy) Jones.

A celebration of life will be held June 11, 2022 from 1:30PM to 4PM at the Weymouth Country Club in Medina, Ohio.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local Hospice or plant a dogwood or pine tree in honor of someone you love.

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Jones family.