Momentum - The Magazine for Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering Vol. 2 No. 2 Summer 2017 | Page 7

engineering graduate and the first woman to
head DARPA, who now leads Facebook’s ad-
vanced research group, Building 8.
Three years after retirement in 1991, Jones
earned national recognition when the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers presented him
the James Harry Potter Gold Medal for contri-
butions in thermodynamics. In 2008, Jones was
awarded the William H. Ruffner Medal, Virginia
Tech's most prestigious honor, recognizing his
distinguished service to the university. Acknowl-
edged by the College of Engineering for his
exceptional career successes, Jones was inducted
in the Academy of Engineering Excellence in
2014.
Jones served on the Engineering Accredita-
tion Commission of the Accreditation Board of
Engineering and Technology, as well as its board
of directors and executive committee. He was
vice president for education for the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers and co-chaired
The National Research Council Committee on
Engineering Design Theory and Methodology.
A dedicated member of the community and
accomplished musician, Jones served the greater
Blacksburg community as a Rotarian and played
the clarinet and saxophone for the Blacksburg
German Band and the Blacksburg Community
Band.
Jones grew up in West Orange, New Jersey. His
father, Alonzo L. Jones, graduated from Virginia
Tech with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering
in 1918. He is survived by his daughter, Ellen
Jones-Walker; his son, Warren Jones; his grand-
children, Kelly Hardcastle Jones and Reilly James
Jones; and his great granddaughter, June Hard-
castle Robinson Jones.
In 2008, James B. Jones was presented with the Ruffner Medal, the
university's highest award. The medal is presented to individuals who
"render unusually distinguished service" to Virginia Tech.
A memorial service was held June 10 at McCoy
Funeral Home in Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be made to an
organization of your choice. Two of J.B.'s favorite
organizations were the Montgomery County
H