Noel Edmund Jones, husband, father, and military officer, passed from this life on 9 August 2026. An extraordinary man of passion, independence, and intelligence, Noel passed away peacefully at his home after a long illness. He was 83 years old. 

Noel originated from Northeast Oklahoma's Bar Dew hills near Dewey. There, with his brothers and sister, he grew up hunting and exploring, developing a deep sense of self-reliance and love for wide open landscapes. 

Noel retired as an Army lieutenant colonel after initially enlisting, serving largely in clandestine environments working human counterintelligence operations against the Cold War-era Soviet Union. His experience recruiting, training, and leading operations for double agents and their handlers shaped his adult life and, conversely, shaped policy and processes for U.S. Army counterintelligence.

Noel conferred profound love, responsibility, and sense of duty to his three children, all of whom served in the military. He also shared a sense of fun, once beating a pony in a foot race, playing board games, taking family to the State Fair, and playing Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson loudly while driving through the countryside. 

Among his many interests and achievements, Noel played semi-professional baseball and played twice on the all-Army team. After retiring from the military, he authored the long-running Central Virginia newspaper column, "Thinking by the Creek," and was a Virginia Master Gardener, growing award-winning tomatoes. 

Noel shared his philosophy and convictions, often generating thought-provoking and unconventional discussion that could continue late into the night and creating opportunity for discourse, debate, and reflection. Noel continued examining and refining own perceptions throughout his life, setting an example of lifelong learning and development. 

Noel's wife, Elizabeth Jennie (Del Costello) Jones, father, Noad Edward Jones, mother, Cora Lorean (Baltzell) Jones, sister, Norma Lee Jones Muth, and grandson, Nicholas Todd Smith, predecease him. 

The bereaved include his partner of many years, Nancy Lee Gulley, son, Jon Noel Jones (Lori), daughters Jodi Jones Smith (Ron Kesner) and Elizabeth Jean Jones-Christy (Jason), brothers Nolan Lee Jones (Marilynn) and Steve Jones (Judy), seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. 

Noel's family and friends wish Noel's spirit, so indomitable in life, Godspeed in its next chapter. A visitation will be held Thursday, August 13, 2026 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Bennett & Barden Funeral Home. A service will then be held at 1:00 pm in the Amelia Veterans Cemetery, 10300 Pridesville Road, Amelia Court House, Va., Interment Amelia Veterans Cemetery.   

Please consider a prayer or raising a glass for the repose of his beautiful soul.