Philip H. Jones

Philip H. Jones (age 87) passed away on August 24, 2024, at Avow Hospice in Naples, Florida. He was born in Fairmount, Indiana, and graduated from Fairmount High School before completing his college studies at Indiana University. Phil's first love was broadcasting. As a young boy growing up on a farm, he spent countless hours milking cows. But anytime he got a break from those duties, he "clocked in" at his makeshift radio station. Using chicken coop wire and bales of hay, Phil set up shop in his family's barn and pretended he was an announcer reading the news. At that time, his audience was made up of feral cats and other farm animals -- not exactly the demographic that excites advertisers. However, that passion for broadcasting eventually helped Phil land his first professional job at WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, Indiana, and the most important daily assignment of his career: The County Courthouse. That's where he met his wife of 59 years, Patricia, after noticing her in the Tax Assessor's Office. After six years in Minneapolis-St. Paul at WCCO-TV, Phil received a call from CBS News. His 32-year career at the network included stops in Atlanta, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Washington, D.C. Phil spent most of those years covering the Jerry Ford White House, Capitol Hill, and stories for the CBS prime-time broadcast 48 Hours. In 2001 Phil and Pat retired to Naples, Florida where they enjoyed life in "paradise" -- as Phil affectionately called it -- for more than two decades. If there's a quote to sum up Phil's life, it is, "He lived his dreams." He is preceded in death by his wife, Pat, and survived by his two children: Pamela Hardy and Paul Jones (Stacey), two grandchildren: Sebastian and Sophie Hardy, his brother Tom Jones (Carolyn), his sister Mary Lynn Pitt (Chuck) and numerous nieces, nephews and other loved ones. The family will have a Celebration of Life service for Phil at First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs in Bonita Springs, Florida, on Saturday, September 14 at 11 a.m. There will be a separate service at Bentley Village Assisted Living in Naples on Friday, September 13, at 3:30 p.m. for Phil's friends in the retirement community to pay their respects. To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Philip H. Jones

April 27, 1937 - August 24, 2024