Charles Lewis Jones

1928 - 2016

Charles Lewis Jones obituary, 1928-2016, Springfield, MO

FUNERAL HOME

Greenlawn Funeral Home East

3540 E. Seminole

Springfield, Missouri

Charles Jones Obituary

Charles Lewis (Chuck) Jones

Charles Lewis (Chuck) Jones, 88, died October 10, 2016 at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Missouri.

He was born May 12, 1928, in Springfield, Missouri, the son of Charles A. and Marie Jones. He was married July 4, 1954 in Chicago, to Jeanette Barnett, who survives at the home.

He graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1946 as valedictorian of the senior class. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1946-1949 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He received a bachelor's degree in English and Journalism from Drury College, Springfield, in 1954 and pursued graduate studies at Adelphi University, Garden City, Long Island, New York.

From 1954-1968, he taught English, speech, journalism and drama at high schools in Illinois, Missouri and New York. He taught English and headed the Drama Department at Central High School from 1956-1958. For two years, he was the director of all productions for the Springfield Little Theatre. While attending Drury College, he played major roles in several SLT shows including George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, and the Broadway musical, Up In Central Park. He also served as assistant news editor and staff announcer at KTTS AM-FM while a CBS affiliate. He served as Missouri State Director, as well as Eastern NY Director, of the National Thespian Society. For seven years, he wrote a monthly review of Broadway shows entitled "Best of Broadway" for Dramatics Magazine.

He served as Executive Director of the Missouri Optometric Association from 1968-1970. He then served as Executive Vice President of the Missouri Hotel and Motel Association from 1970 until his retirement in 1992.

He was a member of both the American Society of Association Executives and the Missouri Society of Association Executives. He was a member for many years of the International Society of Hotel Association Executives and served as President in 1979. He also served as a member of the American Hotel and Motel Association Board of Directors.

He was past treasurer of the Missouri Travel Council, and served as secretary of the Travel Federation of Missouri. For many years, he worked closely with the Missouri Division of Tourism on special projects and events of benefit to the general public. He was a recipient of the Division's Emory Melton Service Award presented to one individual annually in recognition of career contributions in support of Missouri's travel industry.

He was a charter member in 1969 of the Little Theatre of Jefferson City and served as President in 1974. An active participant for 30 years, he played leading roles in numerous Broadway musicals, as well as dramas and comedies, including Death of a Salesman, The Man Who Came to Dinner, On Golden Pond, Sleuth, Annie and Gypsy. As a director, he staged a number of comedies including the Odd Couple, Barefoot in the Park, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Seven Year Itch, Forty Carats, Move Over Mrs. Markham, and Arsenic and Old Lace.

From 1972-1977, he played leading roles in five Broadway musicals staged at the Cork Opera House, Cork, Ireland. In 1974 he was named an Honorary Citizen of Cork by Lord Mayor Timothy J. O'Sullivan and presented with a plaque.

He is survived by three children and their spouses: Dana and Colin Pinder, Nassau, Bahamas, Craig and Laura Jones, Prairie Grove, AR, Angela and Hank Ketchum, Las Vegas, NV. Eight grandchildren: Leah Johnson, Garrett Pinder, Jenna Pinder, Matthew Jones, Joey Woods, Sarah Stokes, Brooke Ketchum and Olivia Ketchum and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:00AM, October 17 at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, MO. Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home East. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Springfield, MO.

Published by News-Leader on Oct. 15, 2016.
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In 1957 I was Mr. Jones' student at C.H.S., and he directed three plays in which I acted. He will be remembered with great appreciation by many students like myself who had wonderful times in our drama productions!

October 15, 2016

I was so fortunate to have been in Mr. Jones' Drama class in the year 1956-57. He was always energetic, helpful, and amusing. The entire class LOVED being there.

Thank you, Mr. Jones, for your dedication to your craft.

Carol McCroskey-Johnston

October 15, 2016

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17

Service

10:00 a.m.

Missouri State Veterans Cemetery

Springfield, MO

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Greenlawn Funeral Home East

3540 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO 65809

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