By Laura French
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida paramedic has died after a “courageous battle” with COVID-19, officials announced Sunday.
Volusia County EMS Paramedic Gerald “Jerry” Jones, 51, had served the county for 21 years and “held a presence that brought smiles to his coworkers and comfort to his patients day after day,” Volusia County EMS IAEP Local 77 said in a statement.
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The Volusia Ambulance Association set up an online fundraiser last week to support Jones’ family during his illness. The fundraiser description stated that Jerry was a Navy veteran who served during Desert Storm and that his entire family was “fighting for their lives with COVID19.”
Jones’ sister Shyla Pennington, a teacher’s assistant for the Volusia County School District, died from COVID-19 on Saturday, one day before her brother, according to The Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Jones is survived by his wife Emily and his son Joshua.
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