Fredrick "Dick" Jones

Fredrick Richard "Dick" Jones died peacefully on March 11, 2024, at the age of 82. He was a true adventurer and eternal optimist.
Born on January 21, 1942, in Alhambra, California, to Joel and Nyna Radde Jones, Dick's zest for life was evident early on. As a young boy growing up on Catalina Island, he spent his days diving into the ocean for coins thrown by cruise ship passengers and riding along with the island's pilots on their trips to the mainland. He collected stamps and coins from all over the world. These experiences sparked a lifelong love of the ocean, airplanes, and adventure.
After graduating from Palm Springs High School in 1960, Dick enlisted in military service. First with the Air Force for four years and then in the Navy for over two decades as a Seabee. During this time in the Navy, his tours included Vietnam, Taiwan, Germany, the Soviet Union and Bermuda. While on active duty, he earned his BS in Industrial Psychology through the GI Bill.
He retired from the Navy with distinction and the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1984. Next, he worked briefly for the CIA and State Department. His postings included Africa, Tel Aviv, London, and Copenhagen. He later worked overseas as a contractor for the State Department. In 2015, he was elected as a Kansas State Representative for the 52nd district. Dick's entire career allowed him to live out his childhood dreams; it was important to him that his children see by example that they too could accomplish anything through hard work.
Retirement did not slow him down. It gave him more time to enjoy his family and pursue his passions. He got his pilot's license and enjoyed flying his plane with anyone he could convince to go up with him. He celebrated his 80th birthday by skydiving. Road trips were another beloved pastime. He relished any opportunity to hop in a convertible and find a museum, coffee shop or restaurant off the beaten path. Often with little notice, he would wake up and catch a military hop to visit family and friends as far away as Japan, surprising his wife and the people he was en route to see!
He lived by the motto "Carpe Diem." He woke up each day with purpose, gratitude and joy for life. He was a natural storyteller and enjoyed writing about his life experiences, Cherokee ancestry and current events. And boy did he enjoy engaging in a good debate. As the patriarch, he encouraged and advised his family, and inspired them to be independent. He loved having coffee with his daughters, lunch with his grandsons, and quiet time with his wife. When asked by a daughter what period of his life was his favorite, he replied, "Right now, today is my favorite time."
Dick is survived by his loving wife, Deborah Barnes Jones, their two children, Hilary Jones and Jennifer Jones, and three children from his previous marriage, Nancy Hanks (Brad Bakerink), Kimberly Jones, and Annie Jones. He is also survived by two grandsons, Zack Hanks (Kristin Ross) and Arlo Blankenship, and his siblings, Gene Jones (Kathleen), Jolene Miley (Dennis), and Robert Jones and many nieces and nephews.
Dick's funeral, with military honors, will be Thursday, March 21, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave, Topeka, KS 66603.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Air Combat Museum at Forbes Field, 7016 SE Forbes Ave, Topeka, KS 66619.
Dick's funeral will be livestreamed by Grace Cathedral, you can follow this link, https://youtube.com/live/YgXCm_oddKY?feature=share.