CRESTVIEW — You could say that retiring Crestview High School Principal Bob Jones' retirement plans are up in the air, as they prominently include his passion for aviation.
The educator's 42-year career technically ends June 30, but with accumulated vacation, his duties conclude June 6 after the class of 2014 graduates.
Jones and incoming Principal Dexter Day — elevated from Crestview High vice principal — already have swapped offices, and Day has stepped up his duties as Jones draws down his.
"I'll miss the students, and I'll miss the camaraderiewith the teachers and fellow principals," Jones said. "I'll miss being around the activities and programs."
Laughing, he added, "There's some things about the job I will not miss, but I'd better not go into those."
Aviation plans
Foremost in his retirement plans is spending more time with his 1946 Piper Cub, a tandem-seater he has recovered three times. Currently, he is restoring a slightly later Super Cub.
"I've grown up with airplanes," Jones said. "I come home from work now and work in my hangar into the evening. Soon I'll just wake up and walk out to my hangar."
He's already formed Bob Jones Aeroservice, which specializes in replacing and repainting airplane fabric.
In addition, Jones will ramp up his aerial photography business, a passion he employed to document Riverside Elementary School and Shoal River Middle School's construction. That project holds a special place in his heart. Jones was Shoal River's first principal, transferring his faculty and students from the former Richbourg Middle School to the new school in 2009.
Two other achievements he's especially proud of are leading the Palatka High School football team to the state championship in 1981 and marching in the Rose Bowl Parade with the Crestview High band in 2012.
Jones evenly divided his career into 21 years as a teacher and coach and 21 as an administrator. For his finale, the graduating class invited him to chaperone their senior trip to Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga.
"That's a fun way to wind up my career," he said.
Always an educator
Jones plans to remain active in education, serving on the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, which administers the Foy Shaw Scholarship, and as a volunteer mentor in area schools.
This summer, he receives the Florida Association of School Administrators president's gavel, which will have him traveling statewide — frequently to Tallahassee — to promote advancements in education.
In between, Jones plans to closely follow the successes of his beloved Kentucky Wildcats, especially now that Bulldog senior Denzel Ware has signed to play for the team.
Add hiking and kayaking, and "you can see, I'm not going to be bored," Jones said.
Nor will he worry about the high school's future. Jones said he believes Day will move Crestview High to the next level and maintain valuable connections Jones has made with city and business leaders.
"Dexter, being a Crestview native, has strong roots in the community," Jones said. "I think he will continue to nurture those strong ties."
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at brianh@crestviewbulletin.com, follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Retiring principal will miss students, camaraderie; will volunteer, work on airplanes