Ryan Walker Jones, 49, devoted husband, son, brother, friend, colleague, and avid fisherman, passed away Friday, August 6, 2021, after a valiant fight against esophageal cancer. He was born in Landover, MD, April 16, 1972, grew up in Jacksonville, FL, and graduated from Terry Parker High School. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, from Jacksonville University, but was an FSU Seminole at heart.
Ryan started his 20+ year career in the shipping container industry in Jacksonville, Florida, with Stevens Shipping and Terminal Co., joining AP Moller Maersk in 2000. His career led him and his wife, Dru, from Jacksonville, FL to The Netherlands, Shanghai, Singapore, and, most recently, Malaysia.
As the Terminal Operations Manager for the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Johor, Malaysia, Ryan’s leadership was instrumental in developing the PTP Ways of Working (WoW) - an inclusive, optimistic, and problem-solving culture that lasts today. To honor Ryan and his significant, transformational impact, MAERSK/APMM has commissioned an annual award in his name. The Ryan Jones Team Leadership Award will be awarded globally to the teams around the world whose KAIZEN efforts were outstanding, not only in terms of economic impact, but more importantly with emphasis on the team exhibiting the leadership and optimism with which Ryan led. He was a widely respected professional in global HSSE and terminal operations, as well as a universally admired colleague and friend around the world.
Personally, Ryan was simply a stellar human. His kindness and gentleness were extended to everyone he met. He and Dru loved volunteering their time at NANAS Animal Sanctuary in Malaysia, and he looked for opportunities to share his love of boating and fishing with friends and kids around the world. Since his work with Maersk and APMT took them across the globe, Ryan and Dru spent time traveling to new places whenever possible, enjoying Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and South Africa. When not traveling the world with the love of his life or grilling everything under the sun with his latest flavor concoctions for friends, you’d find Ryan “Sailfish” Jones dropping a line off the side of a boat, patiently waiting to reel in his next big catch.
Ryan is survived by his wife of 24 years, Dru Jensen Jones, mother and stepfather, Eva and Dave Abbott, Jacksonville, FL, father, Ken Jones, Ocala, FL, sisters, Amanda Jones Bernal and Melissa Jones Barton (Brian), Lake Butler, FL, nieces, Mackenzie (Wendel), Ava, Delana, Taylor, grand-nieces, Kendal and Kallie, mother and father-in-law, Ellen and Alan Jensen, Jacksonville Beach, FL, brothers-in-law, Rush Jensen and Reed Jensen, aunts, uncles, cousins, childhood friends, and many, many extended family and friends across the globe.
A memorial cast-off for Ryan was held at 11am on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra, FL. The service will be live streamed on YouTube for global friends and family to join; https://youtu.be/nDzGDYjfQMw.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a contribution in Ryan’s memory to one of the following: 1) St Johns River Keeper (https://stjohnsriverkeeper.org), 2) MD Anderson Cancer Center (https://gifts.mdanderson.org), 3) Florida Fishing Academy (https://floridafishingacademy.com), 4) NANAS Animal Sanctuary (https://noahsarknaturalanimalshelter.com). Please visit the online Tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com . Arrangements by Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home & Cremation Centre.
