Jack Richard Jones
March 8, 1931 – April 10, 2024
Jack Richard “Rich” Jones, 93, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024, with his beloved wife Delores at his side, after bravely battling multiple health issues in recent years.
Born on March 8, 1931, on the family farm south of Strasburg, to Jack and Anna Ray (Yennie) Jones, Richard was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who brought joy and warmth to all who knew him.
Richard was a life-long resident of Pleasant Hill. He graduated as valedictorian of the Pleasant Hill High School class of 1949 and was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball, and track. Many of his high school track records lasted for decades.
Upon graduation, Richard attended the University of Missouri on a football scholarship and played for Coach Don Faurot. As a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, he graduated from Mizzou with a BS Degree in Real Estate and Insurance.
Following college, Richard was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and served on deployments to Japan and Korea. He earned the UN Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. After his military service, he returned to Pleasant Hill to join his father as a 3rd generation member of Yennie & Jones Insurance Agency. He also co-owned and operated the Pleasant Hill Country Club and founded Double J Self Storage.
Over the years, he helped Pleasant Hill prosper and grow by serving as a member of the Pleasant Hill Development Company and personally creating one of Pleasant Hill’s earliest residential developments, Stone Creek Subdivision. In 2015, Richard was inducted into the Pleasant Hill High School Alumni Hall of Honor for his contributions to the school and to the town’s business community.
Throughout his life, Richard pursued his passions with unwavering determination. Whether it was coaching little league football, filming PHHS football games precariously perched atop the press box, golfing, pheasant hunting or bass fishing, he approached every endeavor with enthusiasm and skill. But most of all, Richard will be remembered for his gentle and compassionate nature and for his willingness to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. His kind heart and gentle spirit touched the lives of many.
In addition to his wife, Delores, Richard is survived by his son, Keith (and Dianne) Jones, granddaughter, Mia Jones, and step-grandson, Josh (and Christie) Haymond and family all of Raleigh, North Carolina; stepson, Brian Sloan (and Phil Jacobson) of Dallas, Texas; brother, Jim (and Marty) Jones of Overland Park, Kansas; nephew, Craig (and Lori) Jones and family of Pleasant Hill; niece, Christy (and Jeff) Kaplan of Marietta, Georgia; and many friends who loved him and will miss him.
He was preceded in death by his son, James Tanner “Jimmie” Jones.
Though he may be gone from our sight, Richard’s spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.
Visitation and a celebration of Richard’s life was held Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the funeral home. Reverend James Stanfield-Myers officiated. A final salute ceremony was conducted by Past Commander, Ron Beatty and members of V.F.W. Post #3118. Burial was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery with full military honors by the United States Air Force and the V.F.W. Post #3118 Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Croix Hospice or the Pleasant Hill VFW Post #3118 and may be sent in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.StanleyEdenburn.com
Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550.
