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Oct 18, 2024

Terry Jones, former NRP-Jones owner, dies at 80 | Rubber News

MARCO ISLAND, Fla.—Terry Jones, former president and owner of hose and fittings manufacturer NRP-Jones, died Jan. 20 at his home in Marco Island. He was 80. After traveling with the Russ Carlisle Band

MARCO ISLAND, Fla.—Terry Jones, former president and owner of hose and fittings manufacturer NRP-Jones, died Jan. 20 at his home in Marco Island. He was 80.

After traveling with the Russ Carlisle Band for a couple of years after high school, he returned home to La Porte, Ind., to work with his brother Brian, and their father, Keith, at Screw Machine Products Co., the company started by Keith Jones.

The company, later renamed Jones Enterprise Inc., manufactured hydraulic fittings, adapters and screw machine piece parts. Terry Jones was named president when his father retired, and led the company on a growth path that included the purchase of Utah-based hose manufacturer Nephi Rubber Products.

The combined firms came to be known as NRP-Jones, which Terry Jones sold to private equity firm Main Street Capital Corp. in December 2011.

"Terry was a wonderful person to work with who loved the challenge of being the one to figure out how to make new fittings or special parts, and that became something that distributors call us for," said Mark Prast, NRP-Jones chief operating officer and a more than 40-year veteran of the firm. "He also took the company from a machine shop to a hose and fittings manufacturer."

Terry Jones served on numerous community boards throughout his life, including the La Porte YMCA and La Porte Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Frances; son Ethan; daughters Amy (Chris) Fewell, Gillian (Rich) Waldo of New Carlisle, and Haley (Joe) Whicker; brother Brian; and eight grandchildren.

The Jones family will hold a Celebration of Life on May 18 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Heston Hills Event Center in La Porte.

Memorial contributions can be made to the La Porte Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 563, La Porte, Ind., 46352, or the La Porte County Family YMCA, 901 Michigan Ave., La Porte, Ind., 46350.

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