Ralph L. Jones, 81, of Salisbury Township, died Oct. 11, 2014, in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Carole A. (Zellner) Jones. They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in March. Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Wesley O. and Pearl M. (Miller) Jones.

He began his career as a sales representative in 1955 for George P. Schlicher & Sons. He was employed there until retiring due to a disability in 1988.

He was a former member of St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, Allentown.

He began his professional baseball career as one of the first members of Homer Fegley's baseball team the "Milkmen," which played at the Limeport Stadium in the East Penn Baseball League. He also played for the Philadelphia Athletics before enlisting in the U.S. Army.

He served as an intelligence officer in the United States Army working with the Pentagon based in Kodiak Alaska's Wildwood Station.

He was an avid outdoorsman and fisherman. He enjoyed photography and was a talented landscape artist.

He is survived by his wife; daughters, Lynn A. Jones-Hoats, of Bethlehem and Laurie A. Bender, of Leander, Texas; grandchildren, Rachel, Blair, Nicholas and Emily.

Contributions may be made to Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2166 S. 12th St., Allentown, 18103; or the American Cancer Society Lehigh Valley Unit, 3893 Adler Place, Bethlehem, 18017.

A memorial service with military honors will be held 2 p.m. Oct. 19, in the Stephens Funeral Home, Inc., 1335-37 Linden St., Allentown. Call 1 to 2 p.m. in the funeral home.