Tribute courtesy of Phil Berrier, Roller Derby Forum
George "Run Run" Jones
George Wendell "Run Run" Jones passed away suddenly in Alameda, CA on December 16, 2006 at the age of 77.
He is survived by his daughter Wendy, his son, Tom, his sisters, Ilo Ristau and Beverly Jones, and his former wife, Peggy Jones, as well as many nieces and nephews and the Raider Nation. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund Roscoe and Muriel Lee (Bartlett) Jones, his brother Edmund Jones and sisters, Daisy Humphrey and Monterey Ristau.
He lived an accomplished life, serving in the US Navy during the Korean War, becoming a Roller Derby Star with the Bay Area Bombers in the 50's and 60's, and serving as the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders Clubhouse assistant for the last 43 years. Of the many successes he had shared in, he was most proud of his children and his three Superbowl rings.
Born in Coal Valley, IL, he became a long-time resident of the Bay Area in 1954. A tireless member of the community, "Run Run" devoted much of his time to various Bay Area charities, particularly those that worked with children. He was a loving father, a loyal friend and a dedicated professional. Loved by many, he will be missed by all.
Article from the "Contra Costa Times" of California
Run Run Jones was a prisoner of war. The Navy shipped him to Korea in 1951, in the heart of the Korean conflict. He was subsequently captured.
"I never knew if I would be alive from one day to the next," he said of that harrowing experience. "If they decided to shoot you, that was it. I did what I was supposed to do. I was scared to death."
"I lost about 35 pounds as we were eating mostly rice. It was 15 below zero, and we weren't dressed nearly warm enough, but they had us outside digging graves. There were some turncoats. But I wanted to get home, and this kept me going."
Before Korea, Run Run was stationed in Oxnard, where he went roller skating for the first time. A movie company spotted him and used him as an extra in the Mickey Rooney film "Fireball," a Roller Derby takeoff.
After Korea, Run Run spent 18 years in real-life Roller Derby. He was a Bay Bomber from 1954-61. He credited Dick Lane, a boxing and wrestling announcer in Los Angeles, with thinking up his lasting nickname.
"Because I could run on my skates," Run Run explained. "Not too many could do it."
Run Run took umbrage with accusations that Roller Derby matches were fixed. He had the broken body parts -- shoulder, collarbone, tailbone, ribs -- to prove his point, not to mention water on the knee, torn ankle ligaments and a couple dozen lost toenails from being kicked during matches.