OBIT: Evan Robert JONES, 1948, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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EVAN R. JONES
WRECK VICTIM [photo]
HURT FATALLY IN ACCIDENT
Evan R. Jones, Aged 27, Orchestra Leader and Veteran, Dies of Skull 
Fracture

  Evan Robert Jones, aged 27, of 1006 Twenty-second avenue, well-known 
orchestra leader, music teacher and World war II veteran, died at 4.10 
o'clock this morning at the Altoona hospital as the result of head 
injuries suffered when his motorcycle wrecked on the William Penn 
highway above Duncansville yesterday noon.
  Death resulted from a fracture of the skull, but was unexpected, his 
condition appearing fairly good at the hospital until a short time 
before his death.  His family visited him at the hospital yesterday 
afternoon and heard from him the details of the accident.
  Although unconscious for about 15 minutes following the accident, 
Evan was able to walk into the hospital and put himself to bed there 
after being removed to the institution by a Johnstown truck driver who 
came on the scene of the accident shortly after the wreck occurred.

Returning From Indiana.

  The young man, husband of Mrs. Vivian (Hammaker) Jones, and father of 
two small daughters, Barbara Ann, aged 4, and Vivian Carol, aged 3, was 
returning to the city from summer school classes at Indiana State 
Teachers college at the time of the accident.  He had been attending 
Indiana since last January, continuing in the summer session after the 
regular spring semester ended.
  Since the weather became nice and the roads clear, he had been 
commuting daily to the school from his home in the city, having only 
two morning classes.  In the city he had continued his work with his 
dance orchestra and taught music.
  Descending the mountain road yesterday noon, the rear tire of his 
motorcycle blew out, throwing him to the paving where he was discovered 
and given aid by two truck drivers.  He regained consciousness within a 
short time and was removed to the hospital by the driver of one of the 
trucks, Frank Fruman of 315 Catherine street, Johnstown.  The accident 
occurred about a half-mile above Mountain Lake park, near the 
Hollidaysburg reservoir.

Condition Seemed Good.

  It was reported that he wanted to repair the tire of his motorcycle 
and ride it into the city but acceded to the advice of the truck driver 
that he be permitted to take him to the hospital.  At the hospital it 
was found that he had suffered a possible fracture of the skull and 
abrasions of the knees and the left side of his back.
  He fell asleep last evening about 8 o'clock after members of his 
family left his beside and died without again awakening.
  Deputy Coroner Edgar G. Walls was notified of the fatality and is 
conducting his investigation today.

Native of City.

  Evan was born in Altoona Aug. 22, 1921, an only child of John E. and 
Pearl (Walters) Jones, and grew up in the city.  He was graduated from 
Altoona High school in the class of 1939 and on Nov. 3, 1942, married 
Miss Vivan Hammaker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus A. Hammaker of 511 
Twenty-second avenue.
  Surviving are his wife, two daughters and his parents.  Evan was a 
member of the First Church of Christ of the city and of the local 
musicians' union.
  He will repose at the V. L. Stevens funeral home where friends will 
be received after 7 o'clock this evening.

Active In Music.

  Evan was active in music and well known as a trumpeteer. While in D. 
S. Keith Junior High and Altoona High school he was a member of the 
various musical organizations, playing also with the Altoona Civic 
Symphony and the Johnstown Veterans of Foreign Wars hand, serving as 
cornet soloist with the latter organization. In his junior year at 
Altoona High he was leader of the dance hand and held first chair in 
the cornet section in the All-State orchestra and hand.
  He attended West Chester State Teachers college for two years and the 
Earnest Williams music camp in the Catskills for two summers. In 
college he played first trumpet in the symphony orchestra and solo 
cornet with the symphonic band, doing considerable solo work and 
playing with various name orchestras before and after serving in the 
army. Prior to entering the army July 1, 1942, he was employed in 
Washington, D. C., by the British purchasing commission, and later for 
Senator O'Daniels of Texas.
  A month after entering the army he won first chair solo cornet and 
the following month was promoted to the rank of sergeant, leading the 
dance hand and singing with the organization. He was frequently heard 
over radio networks with the army musical organizations. Evan was 
honorably discharged from the service, Nov, 11, 1945, returning to the 
city to resume his musical work.

Altoona Mirror, Saturday, July 3, 1948, pp. 1, 11