Ralph John Jones of West Tisbury died on Wednesday, Nov. 30. He was 93.

He was born in Haddam, Kansas to Charlotte Robinson and William John Jones. He grew up in Stafford, Kansas, and graduated from Kansas State College and Rutgers University. He went on to Merck Chemical Co., where he worked opposite his wife-to-be, Alvida Cleveland Riggs. He was known to say ‘the chemistry was right.”

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and again during the Korean Conflict, returning to work at Merck afterwards. The Atomic Energy Commission was actively recruiting, and making what turned out to be a great decision, he joined the AEC. He went on to work for the Nuclear Fuel Services, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and finally for the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria.

Ralph and his wife of 69 years, Alvida, then became world travelers for many years. In 1986 they retired to Martha’s Vineyard, where he was very active in his church, hospital, Up-Island Council on Aging, and the local thrift shop.

He was a man of many talents, especially woodworking (but not singing, though he thought he could). He loved to read and enjoy his offspring, and had a wonderful sense of humor.

In addition to his wife Alvida, Ralph is survived by his four children: Douglas Jones and his wife Karen, Duncan Jones, Deborah Pearce and her husband Philip, and Daniel Jones and his wife Barbara. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren

The Rev. Cathlin Baker conducted a private interment service on Dec. 10 at the West Tisbury Cemetery with military honors. A celebration of his life is being planned for spring 2017.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury.