Richard Milton Jones

1931 - 2021

Richard Milton Jones
May 12, 1931 - October 8, 2021
Spring Valley
Richard Milton Jones, CDR (Ret), passed away on October 8, 2021, at his home in Spring Valley, California. He was 90 years old. Born May 12, 1931, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Nelson Frederick Jones Sr. and Alice Ida Jones, Richard grew up in Gulfport, Mississippi, with an older brother, Nelson Frederick Jones Jr., and younger sister, Alice.Richard graduated from Gulfport High School in 1949 and attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg before gaining entrance into the United States Naval Academy. A proud member of the Class of 1955, Richard studied engineering, was the Captain of the Sailing team, and notably gave his heart to Jesus Christ during his Second Class year through Navigators. Once commissioned, he made San Diego his permanent home and served on multiple West Pac deployments aboard Tulare (AKA-112) and Hammner (DD-718). After five years of active duty, he transitioned to the Navy Reserve and served another 20 years prior to retirement in the early 1980s as a Commander. In 1990, Richard married the love of his life, Lavon Barnes, and together they successfully worked as small business owners in San Diego. Richard was a loving husband, a wonderful step-father, and a kind human being.He is survived by his wife, her seven children, and 19 grandchildren, each of whom he greatly cherished.During his retirement years, Richard spent considerable time serving at his church, taking seminary classes, and discipling recovering addicts at The San Diego Rescue Mission and then Restoration Ranch in Ramona, CA. One of his favorite past times was exploring Yosemite Valley, especially Happy Isles.The family asks that all gifts, in lieu of flowers be donated to the San Diego Rescue Mission. Donations can be made in Richard's name by clicking www.sdrescue.org. A memorial service will be held on November 22, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of San Diego.