Tom Jones

ROANOKE, Va. – Tom Jones passed away on May 16, 2026, in Virginia, where he spent the final two years of his life. Born on April 11, 1944, in New London, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1962 and served during the Cuban Missile Crisis, where his talent for aerial photography first emerged while documenting Russian missile tankers. His skill and professionalism later earned him the honor of serving as one of the Navy photographers assigned to the funeral of John F. Kennedy.

Tom made Brunswick his home after his time in the Navy and built a distinguished photography career spanning more than five decades, becoming one of Maine’s most published photographers, with work appearing in publications including The New York Times, National Geographic, People, Time, Down East, and The Maine Times. He received numerous awards for his work and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in photojournalism.

Jones also photographed prominent public figures including Bette Davis, Queen Elizabeth II, Bill Clinton, Dorothy Hamill, Dahlov Ipcar, and Jamie Wyeth, along with numerous Maine politicians, dignitaries, and media personalities. He also captured the landscapes, coastlines, and spirit of Maine through his aerial and landscape photography. His work remains an enduring visual record of Maine and its people across generations.