Christopher C. Jones, 56, Laurel

Christopher C. “Chris” Jones, 56, of Laurel died June 6, 2012, in Santa Clara, Calif.

Born May 2, 1956, in La Plata, he was the son of Leo Jones of La Plata and the late Catherine Wills-Jones.

Mr. Jones graduated from La Plata High School in 1974, and then obtained a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland. In 1982, he began his career at Varian, a leader in the development of scientific equipment, later acquired by Agilent Technologies. He worked in the research products division as the manager of customer support for the Americas.

He met his wife, Sharon Carkhuff, while living in Laurel and became an integral part of her life with son, Shawn Kozlov. He loved his family and friends and was always ready to listen or lend a hand. He had a tremendous passion for people.

He enjoyed traveling, especially family ski vacations to Steamboat in Colorado. He was an avid scuba diver and held a rescue diver certificate. He loved working with his hands.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his older brother, George L. Dyson.

In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Sharon Carkhuff; son, Shawn Kozlov; granddaughter, Hailey Kozlov; brothers, Charles LeRoy Wills and his wife, Margaret of Bel Alton, Matthew Wills and his wife, Rosita of Bryantown and Robert Wills of Clinton; sisters, Mary Wallace and her husband, Leroy of Suitland, Catherine E. Wills of La Plata, H. Patricia Washington of Suitland, Jean Stewart and her husband, Joe of Clinton, Audrey T. Wills of Suitland, Beverly Chisley and her husband, Nace of Clinton, Monica Wills of Washington, D.C., and Bonita Jones of Reston, Va.; uncle, Roland Dyson and his wife, Celestine of Port Tobacco; and many other relatives.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. June 18 at Thornton Funeral Home, Pomonkey, and from 9 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. June 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, La Plata. Burial will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to www.catholiccharitiesusa.org, www.lupus.org or www.redcross.org.