Walter Earl Jones
8/30/1945 - 2/14/2005

 Walter Earl Jones was born August 30, 1945 in Texarkana, Arkansas. He was the eldest child born to Earl and Dorothy Jones. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to San Diego, California where he received his formal education, graduating from Lincoln High School with Class of 1964. 

In 1966 Walter enlisted in the United States Air Force where he proudly served his country for six years. After receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1972, he continued his education at San Diego City College and Southwestern College where he studied Zoology. Walter was always fascinated with wildlife. 

Walter began working as one as the first African-American Park Rangers in the State of California in 1976. He dearly loved his job most especially the ten years he served he served as a Mounted Patrolman with his horse, “Tulipon”. He retired in 2002 after twenty-six years of dedicated service. 

In October of 1986, Walter married Yvonne Jacqueline Russell in Carlsbad, CA. They resided in Alpine where he attended Alpine Christian Fellowship. He was a proud member of the Legendary Buffalo Soldiers, 9th and 10th Calvary Association. He studied and researched their role and contributions to African-American History and History and served as Historian. 

Walter was a fun loving, inspiring and motivating person. He often gave lectures in the mountains, as well as training classes. He was an educator of both life and wildlife. Walter was an all around great person and will be deeply and solely missed by all those who knew him. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Jones and granddaughter, Tarin B. Cooper. 

Walter Earl Jones departed this life on February 14, 2005. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Jones of Alpine, California; stepchildren, Maresa Hamilton and Michael Hamilton both of San Diego, California and Charmaine Post and husband Patrick of Alpine, California; mother, Dorothy M. Jones of San Diego, California; three brothers, Christopher E. Jones of Vancouver, Washington, Kenneth D. Jones and Arthur R. Jones both of San Diego, California; four sisters, Shirley E. Brown, Linda C. Colmenero, Erlene L. Turley all of San Diego, California and Michele T. Troche of Fairburn, Georgia; grandchildren, Ghardhardt Cooper, Juliana Cooper, Isaiah Hamilton, Kyle, Katatrisa and Kory Post, many nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives to celebrate his life.