Melvin Kenneth

Jones Jr.

Melvin Kenneth Jones, Jr. (aka Bud)

Born April 27, 1940, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Melvin Kenneth Jones, Jr. came into this world with a brilliant brain capable of solving the most complicated mathematical equations yet somehow struggled with the basic operation of a TV remote.

He grew up in the hills of Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania surrounded by coal mines and math books, where his parents, Ruth and Melvin, bestowed upon him the nickname Bud. His good grades annoyed his sister Patty but impressed the admissions officers at the University of Pittsburgh, where he eventually graduated with a degree in mathematics.

Bud's mathematical talents caught the attention of Ross Perot, who hired him at EDS as a systems engineer. What's a systems engineer? Nobody really knows. But Bud did it for nearly 30 years before venturing out on his own as a consultant. Turns out he was pretty good at that, too.

But his real accomplishments had little to do with business. He married Doris Marie Mack after a whirlwind two-month courtship and went on to raise seven kids: five daughters who provided the drama and two sons who provided the comic relief. Some say raising those girls was excellent preparation for the emotional highs and lows of being a lifelong Steelers fan.

Like most mathematicians, Bud understood the finer things in life: McDonald's frappés, Klondike bars, Meomi wine, and Karen Carpenter songs. Add in a little Neil Diamond and Elvis, and you'd pretty much have his version of heaven.

And that's really what Bud was good at: enjoying life. He didn't need a big adventure or a complicated plan. Just a simple family vacation with access to a tennis court. He liked his routines, his family, his music, and his comfortable spot on the couch. He knew what made him happy and saw absolutely no reason to mess with a winning formula.

His love language was providing his family with adventures. Everything from studying at Michigan State to honeymoons in Maui. His generosity didn’t stop there, everyone experienced it in their own way, and everyone has their own story to tell.

Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Mack, his granddaughter, Audrey Snyder, son-in-law, Dennis Wollant, sister, Patricia Davis, and parents, Melvin and Ruth.

He leaves behind seven children: Cynthia (Mike) Rink; Denise (Marty) Babic; Barbara (Kurt) Vermilye; Gregory (Kelly) Jones; Pamela (Mark) Snyder; Christina (Scott) Gilroy; and Michael (Theresa) Jones. He is also survived by 26 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and enough family stories to fill several seasons of a hit Netflix comedy series. Lots of fun, laughs, and love.

There will be a private burial in Michigan next spring.