Jerry N. Jones

1937 - 2011

Jerry N. Jones, 73, of Columbia passed away April 4, 2011 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Service will be Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Community United Methodist Church.

Jerry was born November 8, 1937 in Marshall, MO to Melvin Levine and Mary Belle Jones. He was married in 1960 to his wife, Frances McKinney Jones. They had just celebrated fifty years together in November and were the parents of three children and had seven grandchildren. He was a 1955 graduate of Smith Cotton High School in Sedalia, MO.

Jerry was a US Navy Veteran serving with the Naval Security Group. In private industry he spent almost 30 years with Toastmaster, Inc. directing various departments of the company. During his career he directed Personnel, National Service, Engineering and Operations and traveled extensively for the company. The last seven years of his career he directed worldwide Logistics and Distribution, sponsored and worked with Junior Achievement and served as a Loaned Executive to the United Way prior to retiring in 2003.

He was elected to the Sedalia City Council in 1966, was first elected Mayor in 1970 and re-elected in 1974, selected to appear in the 1970 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America and appointed by Governor Bond to the Missouri State Coordinating Board of Higher Education. He also served as a Director of the Missouri Municipal League and the National League of Cities, honored by the Sedalia Chamber of Commerce and the Methodist Church and spoke at area churches during his years in Sedalia.

After moving to Columbia in 1976, he coached Little League baseball for several years and was active in Community United Methodist Church. Since retirement he was elected to the Executive Board of the West Fair Condominium Association and spent time with his family and traveling. He particularly enjoyed fishing trips with his wife, playing golf with friends and watching his grandsons play baseball.

He will most importantly be remembered as a loving son, husband, father and grandfather. Known as "Papa" by his grandchildren, he was always interested in all their endeavors.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Frances, daughter Becky Sue Streeter and her husband Barry, daughter Cynthia Lou Jones, son Jerry Neil Jones, II and his wife, Rhonda, grandchildren, Kyle Streeter, Erin Streeter, Morgan Jones, Alex Jones, Isaac Jones, step-grandchildren, Deven Buckley, Kennedy Stanberry, all of Columbia, and his brother, Ronald Jones, Scottsdale, AZ.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Melvin Louis Jones.

Memorial donations can be made to The Children's Miracle Network.

Tributes can be left online at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com