Obituaries

He moved from Bethesda to Talbot County, Md., in 1987 but did not sit still. Driving a 1978 Volkswagen camper, the family toured the United States and Canada's maritime provinces, until Mr. Coit became ill.

His marriage to Phyllis Baldwin Coit ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Barbara Matzen Coit of Oxford; five children from his first marriage, Elizabeth Baldwin Coit of Laurel, Zachary Garrison Coit of Charlottesville, Seth W. Coit of Reston, Nathan Greene Coit of Colorado Springs and Roger Baldwin Coit of Salida, Colo.; two sisters; and eight grandchildren.

-- Patricia Sullivan

George William JonesEngineer, Tax Preparer

George William Jones Sr., 83, who worked for 37 years as a mechanical engineer with the Naval Air Systems Command in Crystal City, died of cardiac arrest March 17 at Woodbine Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Alexandria. He lived in Suitland for 51 years.

After retiring from the naval command in 1986, he joined H&R Block as a tax preparer and manager in offices in Prince George's County. He prepared taxes for a select few clients until last year.

Mr. Jones also drove a taxi for 30 years in Maryland and the District. He enjoyed talking to the people he met in his cab and sharing opinions on current events.

Mr. Jones was a Georgia native who grew up in Savannah, Ga. He attended Tuskegee Institute for a year before being drafted into the military. As a Marine, he served on Guam during World War II.

After his discharge, he continued his education at Howard University and graduated as a mechanical engineer.

In his early years, he attended St. Paul Church of God in Christ in the District with his wife. He helped deliver dinners and made donations to the church.