Orange County Mourns the Loss of Mr. Grover Wilson and Mr. Vernon Rea Jones
By: Orange County Communications Department
The Orange County government and community are saddened by last month ’ s passing of two former members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Mr. Vernon Rea Jones and Mr. Grover Wilson, Jr. In honor of their memories, Orange County flags were lowered to half - staff on February 3, 2025, for Mr. Jones; and on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, for Mr. Wilson. Mr. Jones passed away on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of service to Orange County and its residents. He served on both the Orange County Board of Supervisors and the Orange County Planning Commission. In each body, he held the role of Chairman for multiple years, and served a total of nearly three decades. His other public roles included military service as a U.S. Army soldier. He retired from the National Guard as a Brigadier General and continued supporting our armed forces through the Virginia Department of Military Affairs. Additionally, Mr. Jones served on the Board of the Rapidan Service Authority and on the Orange County Economic Development Authority.
Mr. Wilson passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 82 years of age, and his life also serves as an impressive example of community - mindedness. Following service in the U.S. Air Force, he returned home and became a successful entrepreneur. His public life included representing District Four for 18 years as a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, serving as Chairman in 2004. His tenure is one of the longest of the eighty individuals who have been honored with the role of Supervisor, and he additionally served on the Rapidan Service Authority Board and on the Orange County Economic Development Authority. Mr. Wilson served with integrity in all these roles and was also an active member of the East Orange Ruritan Club. Among many other achievements, both gentlemen sought to improve the quality of life in Orange County through economic development. Examples include the establishment of the Lee Industrial Park, the hiring of Orange County ’ s first Economic Development Director, and the encouragement of large - scale employers like MPS (then VHPS) to establish operations in Orange County.
“ Orange County mourns the loss of both former Supervisors, ” said R. Mark Johnson, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “ I had the honor of serving with both gentlemen, and their legacy of public service should inspire current and future generations, ” he added.
For more information about the service and lives of each, please view the obituaries linked below:
• Obituary for Mr. Vernon Rea Jones
• Obituary for Mr. Grover Wilson, Jr.
Page 3 | February 2025
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