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BORN
1930
DIED
2020
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HOWARD JONES Obituary
BENJAMIN JONES, Sr.
LAKELAND - Howard 'Howdy' Benjamin Jones, Sr., 89, of Lakeland, Florida, entered into eternal rest on March 23, 2020, surrounded by his wife and family.
He was born on September 3, 1930, in Endicott, New York, and was raised on a farm in Warren Center, Pennsylvania. He was predeceased by parents, Morgan and Helen, brothers, Douglas and Morgan Jr., and sisters, Roena and Mary Lou. He and his wife, Bettie Mai, raised their family in Warren Center and then Apalachin, New York. He was a veteran of the United States Army, based in Ft. Campbell, where he met Bettie. He owned and operated Howdy Jones Excavating, Jones and Mead Construction, Howdy Jones Construction, and Howdy Jones Used Equipment. He was a member of the Westbrook Masonic Lodge #333, the International Flying Farmers, and various antique car clubs. He had an affinity for all things fast--flying his airplanes and helicopters, racing stock cars, and riding and racing snowmobiles. He found great pleasure in visiting with friends, longtime employees, and people of the community. He loved his family dearly and left them with a love of accomplishment and self-worth.
He is survived by his wife, Bettie, of 63 years; children, Paula Druen (Dan) of Gallatin, Tennessee, Howdy Jones, Jr. (Tara) of Lakeland, Florida, Nancy Rabenold (Gary) of Brandon, Florida, and Tracy Greenwood (Mark) of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Angela Vitale Kidd (David), Michele Vitale House (Joseph), Ben Vitale (Bobbi Jayne), Ellory 'Ellie,' Audra, Raquel 'Boo Boo,' and Howdy III Jones, Gary Jr. and Evan Rabenold, and Ryan Salts (Katie); great - grandchildren, Zachary, Landon, William, Adeline, Maverick, Jett, Jacob, Jaxon, and Joslyn; and brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, family, and friends. His humor and love of living will be missed.
Memorial services will be held at later dates.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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Larry Robinson
June 27, 2020
Always a stand up guy. I missed him and Howdy Jr when they left for Florida. Great family, great business, great piece of property there in Apalachin.
Gene Kucharski, Jr.
April 1, 2020
Dear Mrs. Jones, Paula (I don't think we ever met but I heard nice things about you), Howdy, Nancy, and Tracy- I remember how nice Howdy, Sr., and your whole family always was to me and how all of you smiled a sincere smile so naturally. What a special family!
My deepest sympathies.
Jill Darling
March 26, 2020
I remember Howdy always having a smile on his face. We enjoyed watching and playing softball when he operated Howdy Jones Ball Field in Little Meadows, PA. Great players, fantastic teams, and his venue was the perfect setting to see family and friends throughout the summer. What fond memories!
Morris & Barbara Holden
March 25, 2020
Howdy was a good friend and neighbor in both Apalachin, NY and Lakeland, FL.
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March 25, 2020
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, what A GREAT LEGEND HE WAS AND STILL IS IN Little meadows.!!
Howdy treated me to a lot of laughs.' I learned from him.
MY Dad thought the world of him. he was a man of his word, I enjoyed his whole family, what a DAD he must have been.
FROM THE KING FAMILY Sorrow for a great man!!!
DAVE AND GAIL KING
Jason Ellis
March 25, 2020
Im very sorry for your loss. I have memories of him flying over our lake. It was always fun going to see the construction equipment in Apalachin. Things Ill never forget. God bless.
Joe Okrepkie
March 25, 2020
Jones Family,
So sorry for your loss.
Howdy was a great guy and
will be missed. Always
enjoyed our chats about
our motorcycles. A Friend from Newark Valley, NY Joe Okrepkie
Gregg Smith
March 25, 2020
Howdy and family. So sorry to hear about your loss. Even though you are mourning your Dad, rest assured that he is in a much better place. God's peace to you and your family
Dan & Deb Williams
March 25, 2020
My dad talked about Howdy all the time when I was little. Howdy and my day worked together plowing and hauling snow at IBM many years ago. He always had the up most respect for Howdy as a person and a business man. I always loved the beautiful brick house up on the hill in Apalachin NY. About a year and half ago I called Howdy and Bettie and told them I was thinking about buying the Howdy House. Over an hour later of being on the phone with them I thought of my late father taking about what a great couple (family) they were. He was right!!!
My wife and I just want to send a little love and prayer from the brick house in Apalachin NY.
Never Forgotten.
The Staff of Hopewell Funeral Home & Cemetery
March 25, 2020
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Wendy Rogers
March 24, 2020
Bettie and Family;
My Deepest Sympathy to all. Sending Prayers for comfort at this time of loss. Howdy always treated people so well! ~Wendy Rogers
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