Rommie Eugene Jones passed away in Sonora after a long illness on Feb. 22, 2017, at the age of 62. A kind hearted, caring and humble man, he was loved by all those who knew him. Rommie was a well-respected firefighter, captain and fire investigator for nearly 40 years. Most important in Rom’s life were his two sons who compassionately cared for their father during the last few years of his life.
Rommie was born in Inglewood in 1955, but spent most of his youth in the foothills near Auburn. A graduate of Placer High School, he was a gifted baseball player and had the attention of college recruiters. He also loved the outdoors, reading and music. He took a summer job as a seasonal firefighter at the Alta CDF station in 1977 and found his passion.
After two seasons there he moved to Soda Springs and became one of just a few paid firefighters at the Donner Summit Fire Department, where he helped to shape and establish station procedures. In 1983, he moved to the Sonora area and became a member of the Cal Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras team. During his tenure there he graduated from the Cal Fire POST Academy and became a fire investigator and finance section chief. Rommie retired in 2011 as a fire captain specialist and was known statewide for his expertise in suppression cost recovery and public utility investigations. Rommie was an avid lover of all things music, playing guitar for several local and active bands throughout his life.
Rommie is survived by his two sons, Travis and Garrett, of Tuolumne; his stepfather and mother, William and Gloria Single, of Sacramento; and his middle brother, Aubrey, of Davis.
He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin; and youngest brother, Kelly.
We will always carry Rommie’s memory in our hearts. He was an amazing father, son, brother and friend. He will be missed by all of us.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. March 11 at the Tuolumne Methodist Church. A reception will follow at the Memorial Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lewy Body Association (www.lbda.org) or the UCSF Memory and Aging Center (memory.ucsf.edu) in memory of Rommie.
“Let us live for the beauty of our own reality,” Tom Robbins
TCU Family,
I am saddened to report the passing of retired Fire Captain Specialist Rommie Jones. After a long illness, Rommie passed peacefully this morning.
Effective immediately and until further notice, all flags are to be lowered to half-staff in the Unit and badges are to be shrouded.
Rommie started as a seasonal Firefighter in NEU in 1977 and came to TCU in 1983. Throughout his career, Rommie also worked in MMU and LNU.
Rommie graduated from the CAL FIRE POST Academy in May of 2002, and became a certified Fire Investigator as well as Finance Section Chief within the ICS qualification system; he was also a member of the Incident Command Team #8 from 2001-2003.
Rommie retired in November of 2011 as a Fire Captain Specialist in TCU and was known statewide for his expertise in Suppression Cost Recovery and Public Utility Investigations.
Rommie was a true friend and well liked by all those that knew him. He will be truly missed. Please keep the Jones family in your thoughts.
Take care,
Josh White
Unit Chief
Tuolumne County Fire Chief
CAL FIRE
Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit
Twitter @CALFIRETCU
Click here for information about Rommie’s funeral services.