The Rev'd Edward Bicking Jones, Ph.D.
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The Rev'd Edward Bicking Jones, Ph.D., 83, of Philadelphia passed away on Friday, July 6, 2012 at the Philadelphia Protestant Home.
He was born June 4, 1929 to H. Milton and Marie Bicking Jones of Parkesburg, PA.
He attended Millersville State Teachers College (now Millersville University) and upon graduation from college entered Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1954 and from which he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1995. He received a Master of Theology degree from Eastern Baptist Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary, and in 1964 the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland.
Dr. Jones was ordained to the ministry by the Presbytery of Chester in 1954 and served as Assistant Pastor of the Narberth Presbyterian Church until 1961 when he went to Scotland to study. In 1964 he was called to the pastorate of the Holy Trinity-Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in which capacity he served until retirement in 2002.
Dr. Jones served as Adjunct Professor of Reformed and Presbyterian Studies at the Palmer Theological Seminary from 1986 until 2008.
During his ministry he was active in community affairs of the Logan neighborhood in which he lived and served, in addition to serving on various committees and commissions of the Presbytery of Philadelphia.
Dr. Jones was a member of the Union League of Philadelphia, the Library Company of Philadelphia, and Skerret Lodge 343 F&AM of Cochranville.
He is survived by his goddaughters, Devaun Hampton and Joann Morris, and godson, Devin Hampton.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 11 AM at the Memorial Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 The Oak Road, Philadelphia, followed by interment in the Gum Tree Cemetery of Coatesville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Philadelphia Protestant Home, earmarked, "Benevolent Fund", 6506 Tabor Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
Doc
Family,
Doc has been brother, father, uncle and mentor to countless neighbors and friends in the Logan community. Doc's presence commanded respect from everyone. When Doc was around, you made sure you stood straight, curbed your tongue and thought about what you said before you spoke. Doc embodied confidence and taught several generations of young men how to conduct themselfs as men.
Doc led by example. His generaosity, kindness, and old school non nonsense values allowed him to be loved, respected and admired by all that came to know him.
The world have been blessed by his presence, wit and dedication to God and community...he will be missed.
To love ones of Dr.Jones
Life is God
Ted Jones
I can't express adequately how wonderful it was to read your condolence. You have captured his legacy beautifully and what a legacy it is.
I talked about Doc this AM in our bible study and with some tears read your condolence which moved everyone, none of whom ever met Doc.
Jerriann is a second cousin to Ted. He married us, baptized our children and married them as well. While he had a very positive affect on our lives
we always knew he would influence the lives of others more.
Thank you for your wonderful words.
Reverend Ed Jones was my
Reverend Ed Jones was my friend..Good be with him...
Dr. Jones
I have not been to church at Holy Trinity for almost 20 years but being there as a little kid, Dr. Jones shaped my image of a true man of God to this day. And I am still seeking a church home that felt like the one he managed to bring together with his love and caring. You will be missed Dr. Jones. Thank you for taking the time to try to get some of the Holy Spirit into a rebellious teenager.
doc was like a father figure
doc was like a father figure he took me off the street. I join the church with him as a teenager and he was the pastor of my wedding. rest in peace doc.
What a man!
The Reverend Dr. Jones was not only my minister but my friend. No one knows the many conversations we had and advice he gave to me. He was a true man of GOD and the person who could keep your secrets and help you to pray for yourself and others. He was always available when you called on him. Doc was always in my thoughts even after he left Holy Trinity-Bethlehem. Just speaking of him brings back smiles and tears. He wrapped his arms around every child who came into his presence. Needless to say he did the same for adults. When something affected his flock, it showed all over his face. He will rest in peace for a job well done.
Dr Jones
Dr Jones confirmed me and gave me my first communion. He was always there for my family. He married me and then baptized all 3 of my children. My entire church life until well into adulthood was guided by my family and Doc. He spoiled me for lots of other pastors as he gave the best ( and briefiest) sermons ever!!!!!
Even unwell, he drove to U of P back in 2010 to see my dad after open heart surgery, even though they had not communicated in a long time.
DJ as we called him was one of the best men and the most caring pastor I ahve ever known. we will miss him being in the world!
Dr Jones
Good bye to one of the best. The very sad end to an era.
Ted
I have the fondest memories of you from the time I was a little girl and throughout my life. Our family gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas, your presence was always special and meaningful. We all would look forward to Ted's arrival. Your constant support at family weddings, baptisms and funerals was steadfast and comforting to all. I will always cherish you! Love and God bless you!
He will be missed
Rev. Jones was my professor and mentor. He cared about his students and his flock. His example had a profound impact on me. "Well done, good and faithful servant."
A wonderful man of God
I first met Dr. Jones as a student at Eastern Seminary. He was cheery and chatty, dressed in his clericals, at 8:00am when we students, wake-up coffee in hand, all shuffled in to our Reformed Theology class. I especially cherish our Presbyterian Polity class. In it, he drew on the very practical aspects of ministry that he had experienced over the years. He found great joy in ministry and urged us to see the joy as well. He also taught us to have a sense of humor (his was fantastic!) and to take our calling, but not ourselves (after all, he reminded us, God could speak through a donkey!) too seriously. Rest in peace and joy, Casey!
What A Wonderful Man Of God
Dr.Jones was a wonderful and caring man of God. I had to take a moment to write this note to share how blessed I am to have known him. Also, this note is a note of thanks from the Day By Day Goup that has met at Dr. Jones' pastorate of The Holy Trinity Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA. for the last 38 years. Through Dr. Jones' efforts this group has helped countless people over the years to reclaim their lives and reclaim their faith. Dr. Jones was an inspiration and a Godsend to the Logan Community for whom he served so ably for so many years. He will be missed by a multitude of people whose lives he touched. May God Bless His Soul.
Dr. Jones ~ A pillar in the Logan community
Dr. Jones was indeed a man of God and a pillar of the Logan community. He will be missed, but many will remember his contribution to the community and to their own lives and will smile when they think of his loving and gentle spirit. He helped and inspired many youth in Logan. My family and I lived in logan from 1973 to 1992 and shared many moments in his presence. May his spirit rest in peace and joy!
Dr. Jones ~ A pillar in the Logan community
Dr. Jones was indeed a man of God and a pillar of the Logan community. He will be missed, but many will remember his contribution to the community and to their own lives and will smile when they think of his loving and gentle spirit. He helped and inspired many youth in Logan. My family and I lived in logan from 1973 to 1992 and shared many moments in his presence. May his spirit rest in peace and joy!
Honored to have known Dr. Jones
I was honored to have interned with Dr. Jones during his final year at Holy Trinity-Bethlehem. During that year I came to understand that God's call is often different that what we expect. This man with the skills and credentials that could have taken him to many different pulpits, chose to be faithful instead. He answered God's call to be a pastor to the community and his congregation. I hope and pray that Dr. Jones is now able to see the full impact that he had on all our lives. I will be forever thankful for the impact that he had on me.