Richard Jones Jr.

FRANKLIN - Richard Sloan Jones Jr. lived an extraordinary life even until the very end. He was born May 20, 1934, and over 91 years later he retired from the practice of life Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.
He was known as "Richie" and as "Dick," but he was best known for his happy smile and genuine enthusiasm to be with people. He was one of those rare individuals who have a way of making you feel good about yourself, just by being around him. He needed so little yet treasured so much.
Dick Jones married the lovely and intelligent Melissa Osborne, of Haywood County, in 1962. For 63 years they were united in love, effort, work and celebration, as they raised three children, Richard S. Jones III, Fred H. Jones and Laura Jones Caffrey. Son Richard died far too soon, in 2022. Fred is married to Jennifer D. Jones and they have two children, Lyle and Kate. Laura lives in Chapel Hill and has two children as well: Keelin, who just graduated UNC-Chapel Hill this summer and Conor, who is completing his studies next spring at University College Dublin (Ireland), after a semester in Japan.
Dick (now best known as "Poppie") did the unthinkable over two years ago and decided to commence dialysis treatment three times a week. A typical 89-year-old with nominal kidney function would have been expected to live for maybe six months, even with dialysis. But Poppie had an incurable case of optimism and survived more than 2 ½ years, more than long enough to see Lyle marry Christina Charles, of Albany, Georgia, and to see the birth of Charles "Charlie" Alexander Jones on May 31, 2025. The Jones family's first great-grandchild! Poppie also was front and center for Kate's wedding at the Jones cabin on Wayah Bald, as she married Tommy Schnabel of Newnan, Georgia.
Dick grew up in Franklin, the son of Richard S. Jones Sr. and Lois Halman Jones. He was proud to be the third-generation "Jones lawyer" in town, practicing with his father and uncles (Gilmer Jones and Lyle Jones) and following in the footsteps of his grandfather (George A. Jones). He was prouder still to work in the law firm with Fred for over 33 years.
The family recently donated Dick's homeplace, the "Siler-Jones" house, to Mainspring Conservation Trust, so that it could be restored and put to continued good use serving the residents of Macon County and the region.
Dick Jones was a "lawyer's lawyer." Perhaps no one in the state had a better understanding of real estate law than he, and it is indisputable that no one grasped the intricacies of a legal description in a deed, or how that description related to that land itself, more than Dick Jones.
He knew the people of the county, and he knew the land where they lived. And he cared deeply about both. His professional accomplishments included service on the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners, selection into the General Practice Hall of Fame and service with the North Carolina Bar Association.
Little league basketball coach, life-long United Methodist, leader of the boards of Angel Medical Center and Western Carolina University Foundation, counsel for years to Macon Bank and Macon County, Dick Jones contributed significantly to the positive development of generations of young people, young lawyers and the institutions that are the bedrock of a thriving, caring community. He built admirably upon a legacy, trusting too that the future is in good hands.
The message that Dick Jones would leave to those who will follow is this: I am thankful for the blessings of my life, for Melissa, our family and our church, the freedoms and opportunities of this great nation and the duty to preserve it, the chance to engage in meaningful work for so long, and for my friends. I am thankful for these beautiful mountains. I loved walking the ridges and down by the streams. I loved seeing deer in the meadow and horses in the pasture. I just can't help but to smile.
After three weeks of hospitalization, Dick chose to return home where he and Melissa enjoyed visits with their children, grandchildren (and Charlie!) and some of his closest friends. He rested and read on his porch, one of his most favorite places and watched a little golf.
He was surrounded by those who loved him. Near the end, with some of his last words, he closed his eyes and exclaimed "Oh…. My goodness!!" It was like he was opening a present at Christmas, happily surprised at the beautiful gift before him.
The family held a private funeral service Friday, Aug. 15, at Woodlawn Cemetery. A celebration of the life of Richard S. Jones Jr. will be held later this fall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Mainspring Conservation Trust in support of the restoration of the Siler/Jones house, to the Franklin First United Methodist Church (the Flower Fund) or to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com. Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.