Four Generations of Family, Service & Commitment

The story of Delta Gas, Inc. began in 1945, when Latimer M. Jones and his business partner, Luther Heaps, opened the Delta Appliance Store.

The store offered just about everything a household needed, from small appliances such as toasters and mixers to larger appliances including stoves, refrigerators, washers, and dryers. Just as importantly, they stood behind what they sold by providing service and repairs for their customers.

It was during this time that an unexpected conversation helped change the future of the business.

A supervisor from the local electric company expressed concern about the number of electric appliances the store was selling because of the increased demand being placed on the area's electrical lines.

That conversation sparked an idea: Why not sell gas appliances?

Delta Appliance Store began supplying customers with propane using 100-pound cylinders. Each week, a truckload of cylinders was taken to Ephrata, Pennsylvania, to be refilled.

As cooking with propane became increasingly popular, demand continued to grow. The company invested in its first bobtail delivery truck, which was also taken to Ephrata each week for refilling. Propane cylinders were filled and stored in a building behind the appliance store.

Growing Into the Propane Business

By the mid-1960s, larger propane tanks were becoming available for home heating, hot water, and cooking. The company purchased 100-gallon tanks, marking the beginning of Delta Gas's bulk propane delivery business.

In the early 1970s, Latimer and Bill Jones purchased property on Dooley Road in Delta, where the company remains today. A 30,000-gallon propane storage tank was installed at the new location, giving Delta Gas the capacity it needed to serve a rapidly growing number of customers.

The third generation joined the family business in 1978, when Terry "Cho" Jones began working alongside his grandfather and father. Cho delivered propane and serviced appliances while helping take care of an ever-growing customer base.

Bill's wife, Joan Jones, also became an important part of the company. She managed the office and later became President of Delta Gas, Inc. following Bill's retirement.

Continuing to Grow

By the early 1990s, Delta Gas needed even more capacity. A second 30,000-gallon propane storage tank was installed, and the company invested in a computerized system to improve the efficiency of its delivery operations.

In the early 2000s, Delta Gas made another important transition. The company moved away from appliance sales and concentrated its efforts on propane sales, delivery, installation, and service. Heaters, fireplaces, and grills became the focus of the company's showroom.

Technology continued to change the way Delta Gas operated. By 2008–2009, onboard computers had been installed in the delivery trucks to help improve efficiency and customer service.

What started with a single truck and just a couple of employees grew into a fleet of bobtail delivery trucks and service and installation vehicles serving thousands of customers throughout Southern York County, Pennsylvania, and Harford County, Maryland.

The Fourth Generation

The Jones family's commitment to Delta Gas continued into a fourth generation when Gavin Jones joined the company in 2007 after completing his service in the U.S. Navy.

With the addition of HVAC knowledge and services, Delta Gas continued evolving to meet the heating, cooling, and energy needs of the families and businesses it serves.

Our History. Our Values. Our Future.

A lot has changed since Latimer M. Jones first opened the doors of the Delta Appliance Store in 1945. The equipment has changed. The trucks have changed.

Technology has changed. And the number of customers Delta Gas serves has grown tremendously. But the principles on which this family business was built have remained the same.

Latimer and Bill Jones believed in providing quality service at fair and honest prices, and those values have been passed from one generation to the next. Today, Delta Gas, Inc. is proud to carry on that tradition.

We are incredibly grateful to the loyal customers who have trusted our family through the generations and to the dedicated employees who have helped make Delta Gas what it is today.

Four generations. More than 80 years. One commitment—to taking care of our customers and our community. Thank you for allowing Delta Gas, Inc. to serve your family's propane needs. We look forward to continuing that tradition for generations to come.