Walter Jones, ...dies at 76

[littlemissmartypants]

Walter Jones, ‘freedom fries’ congressman who became Iraq War critic, dies at 76

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/walter-jones-freedom-fries-congressman-who-became-iraq-war-critic-dies-at-76/2019/02/10/39aa38b6-232e-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html

Walter B. Jones Jr., a North Carolina congressman who so enthusiastically supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq that he argued for the french fries and French toast served in House cafeterias to be called “freedom fries” and “freedom toast” — a jab at France for its opposition to the war — but who later underwent a dramatic change of heart and emerged as a prominent Republican critic of the war, died Feb. 10, on his 76th birthday.

His office confirmed the death in a statement. It had announced Jan. 26 that the 13-term lawmaker had entered hospice care, his health having declined after a fall in which he broke his hip. Rep. Jones had been granted a leave of absence in late 2018 for an unspecified illness.

Rep. Jones first ran for Congress in 1992, campaigning unsuccessfully as a conservative Democrat for the northeastern North Carolina district that his father had represented for 26 years. A Southern Baptist from childhood, Rep. Jones had converted to Catholicism in his early 30s and cited his opposition to abortion among the factors that led to his disenchantment with his family’s longtime political party.

Two years later, amid the “Republican revolution” that swept the House, he joined the GOP and won a seat in a neighboring district that now includes the Marine Corps’ Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point air station.

More at the link.
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From WFMY Greenville, NC Local News

NC CONGRESSMAN WALTER B. JONES DIES WEEKS AFTER ENTERING HOSPICE CARE
"Deeply saddened by the passing of Walter Jones — a beloved colleague and friend," Rep. Mark Meadows (NC-11) wrote on Twitter about his fellow Republican.

Author: WNCN
Published: 02/10/19
GREENVILLE, N.C. — Longtime North Carolina U.S. Congressman Walter B. Jones died weeks after he entered hospice for a previous hip injury.

Jones, 76, died in Greenville on Sunday afternoon, a news release from his office said.

"Deeply saddened by the passing of Walter Jones — a beloved colleague and friend," Rep. Mark Meadows (NC-11) wrote on Twitter about his fellow Republican.

Jones served North Carolina's 3rd Congressional District and was granted a leave of absence on December 11, 2018.

A statement was released on Jones' official congressional website on Jan 26 about his health:

"Congressman Walter B. Jones’ (NC-3) health has declined after sustaining a broken hip last week. He is now in hospice care. The family asks for your prayers, and for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time."

WNCT obtained the Congressional Record from that day which shows Jones was granted the leave due to an illness. The Associated Press reported that Jones had surgery Jan. 15 for a broken hip suffered at his Farmville home.

Jones served in the seat since 1995 and announced during the 2018 campaign that this term would be his last.

More at the link.

https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/nc-congressman-walter-b-jones-dies-weeks-after-entering-hospice-care/83-e8d6d80f-7ea1-4a98-9937-0aab0a3673ba

May he rest in peace.