U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Receives Free New Roof Through Community Collaboration

Home Genius Exteriors Honors Veteran Eric Jones Sr. Through National Roof Deployment Program

Today, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Eric Jones Sr. received a brand-new roof thanks to a partnership between Home Genius Exteriors (HGE), Owens Corning, Peninsula, and Greater Williamsburg Habitat for Humanity.

This roof replacement was made possible through Home Genius Exteriors’ involvement in the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project, a national program that provides new roofs at no cost to veterans and their families. The Owens Corning Foundation donated the roofing materials, and HGE donated the labor.

Jones has lived in the same home for more than 30 years, raising his two children, Krystal and Eric Jr., both of whom went on to earn degrees from Old Dominion University. The Jones family home has long served as the heart of their celebrations, traditions, and milestones — a place where family naturally gathered, and where Jones and his late wife built their life together. As the home aged, leaks, rot, and mold began to develop, making the repairs impossible for Jones to manage after he retired early from the U.S. Postal Service to care for his mother.

“Giving back to those who serve our country is incredibly important to us. Many service members don’t receive the thanks they deserve for their dedication and sacrifice, so we’re grateful for the opportunity to support Eric and honor his service. We are proud to stand alongside our partners in making this possible.”

– Brent Miller, Executive Vice President & Co-founder of Home Genius Exteriors

Jones enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in July 1976, serving as a member of the Military Police and training as an infantryman. Stationed at Camp Lejeune, he earned the Rifle Marksmanship Badge and Good Conduct Medal before his honorable discharge in 1980. Known for his quiet leadership, discipline, and integrity, Jones built his life around the Marine mentality of showing up early, keeping your word, and leading by example. “In the Marine Corps, even the lowest private gets responsibility,” he says. “You can be called up to step up.”

Even after his service, Jones continued “stepping up” for others. Today, he volunteers at a local bicycle repair shop in Hampton, fixing children’s bikes, helping families who cannot afford repairs, and teaching young people practical skills. “I’ve been blessed with health,” he says. “So I can still get around — and I can share it with other people.”

It was his daughter Krystal who nominated him for the Roof Deployment Project, recognizing the sacrifices he made for their family and his community. “He’s given so much to others,” she says. “It was time someone gave back to him.”

HGE’s involvement in the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project is part of the company’s Home Genius Cares initiative, which provides support, service, and donations to local communities.