Arthur Gene Jones Sr.

Jones Sr., Arthur Gene of St. Charles, MO, died on Saturday August 20, 2016, at the age of 89. Loving husband to Helen A. Jones (nee Allbritten); Beloved son of the late Kenneth G. and Dorothy Jones; Devoted father to Jim (Connie) Jones and their family, Linda (Dave Koshiba) Jones, Debra (James) Riley, Arthur (Julia) Jones, Daniel (Jody) Jones; Cherished grandfather of Timothy, Kirsty, and Evan; Treasured Great-Grandfather of Allyson and Korryn; Dear brother of Patricia Gilmore. Preceded in death by Brother, Robert Jones.

Arthur proudly served his country in the United States Navy in World War II. Arthur’s greatest joy in life was seeing his children happy. He was loved and will be missed by all that knew him.




There is an old Chinese proverb that goes something like this: “All people are your relatives, therefore, expect only trouble from them.”   Some of you recognize the kind of sarcastic humor Art often enjoyed.

• I am Arthur Jones Jr, the 2^nd son of the deceased


• Thank you for your kind and gracious attendance today. Many have traveled very far… Linda, my sister, came in from Seattle, my son Evan was in Boston on Monday, Patsy, sister of the deceased, and her husband, Larry, came in from Pontiac, IL, and several others.


• I would like to do something to recognize our current and retired first responders, military and veterans. If you ever were a first responder and / or in the military, would you please stand up? If you cannot stand up, please raise your hand.   On behalf of this gathering, we extend our thanks and sincere appreciation for your service and sacrifice. Thank You!!!!!


• Lastly, our dearest and deepest condolences are extended to all family members and friends of Art.

Art was born July 25, 1927 in White Hall, Illinois but he grew up in the famous metropolis of “Roodhouse…” just 4 miles away with a population of less than 2,000. He was the 1^st child of Dorothy and Kenneth Jones. Later, his sister, Patsy, who is here with us today, followed by Robert, his brother, were born. Unfortunately, we lost Robert a few years ago. Robert’s son, Todd Jones, is here with us today and Todd is both a veteran and a current 1^st responder. Todd is a Police Officer in O’Fallon, Illinois. He is also one of our pallbearers today. Thank you Todd

Art grew up in a very small home of modest means at that time; the time of the great depression. His father was a house painter; who later found gainful employment with the railroad… a large industry in Roodhouse. Art managed his own paper route at a very young age and he performed a number other odd jobs to help the family meet ends.

He often and fondly remembered his days on the basketball, track and football teams in HS, especially the road trips and the contests against many of their Central Illinois rivalries. In the very few moments of the free time he had, he would hang out at the local “pool hall” owned by his uncle, where he later took me many times to catch up with old friends.

The events of WWII drove the next chapter of Art’s life.   With his parent’s permission, he decided to leave HS at the age of 17 to join the Navy on August 11, 1944 to avoid being drafted into a different branch of service.   Prior to his departure, Art married his 1^st wife. Later, while in service overseas, his first son, Jim, was borne.

Art was in some of the worst combat events in the closing months of the war campaign in the Pacific. He was with the first wave of Marines that landed on Okinawa, code name “Operation Iceberg.” It was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War during World War II. The Americans applied 1,500 ships and more than half a million troops. After the April 1^st 1945 invasion of Okinawa, Art’s unit was trapped on the SE side of the island for more than 40 days, without food, water, and other supplies. He successfully walked out of that horrible situation weighing only 125 lbs, but was later wounded by shrapnel in the same battle.

One highlight of his military career, if you consider any war event a “highlight,” was his presence at the formal Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2^nd 1945. Art and 2 other crewmen were assigned to a 50 caliber machine gun on a ship adjacent to the USS Missouri (BB-63) as protection to the surrender event in case of attacks or sabotage. He left the military shortly thereafter at the age of 19 on June 26, 1946.

Art used his Navy Signalman skills to become a traffic controller and dispatcher for the railroad… a job he worked for more than 40 years. Art met his wife of more than 66 years while in training for his new railroad job.

She worked at the local Starnes Drug Store at the grill and soda fountain. A handsome, dark haired man walked in and sat at one of her booths. He ordered a grilled cheese sandwich. She brought two pieces of white, untoasted bread with slices of unmelted cheese. He said “hey, you brought me the wrong order!” Somewhat confused, she went back to the kitchen, toasted the bread, and took it back to him. This misunderstanding did not keep him from coming back. With persistence and tenacity, he eventually asked her out on a date.

Art married Helen Allbritten on June 24, 1950. Helen recently said she liked “dark haired men”… and “his hair was really dark.” Together, they raised 4 children: Linda, Debbie, Daniel and me.

Art had life-long hobbies including billiards, playing cards and bottle cap baseball. He also had many other activities he enjoyed over the years including fast-pitch softball, stock car racing, and bowling. He used to race midgets at Walsh Stadium by Kingshighway and across from Forest Park. He also enjoyed playing with his young children in the backyard; mainly volleyball and yard gymnastics. Oh, yes, let’s not forget of his love of ice cream, peanut brittle and heavenly hash fudge!

I asked family and friends to tell me what they remember most about Art:

• His daughter Debbie recalled how happy and delighted she was with his support to co-sign the loan for her first new car at age 18. I believe it was a 1974 Camero.


• Danny fondly recalled how Art would drive him to his basketball, soccer and hockey events… but most importantly were the after event trips to Dairy Queen or Art Treacher’s Seafood. He loved fried cod!


• Art was a good neighbor. He and Bud Albers would talk for hours across from the common, chain linked fence they shared on Duke Drive… very near the now famous suburb of Ferguson. Bud and Art both shared the same love of playing bottle cap baseball.


• Many of us remember how hard he worked, and his loyalty to his employers, colleagues and customers. I recall him working 2+ jobs my entire childhood. He worked at the railroad during the day, and Central Hardware most nights and weekends. Countless times he supported his railroad colleagues by walking the picket line during many severe cold winter nights.


• Linda remembers how he liked to make jokes and tell stories. Later in life, he enjoyed sitting inside the garage on a lawn chair, waving and watching people go by, while dressed in his customary “Archie Bunker” garb.


• When teaching Linda how to drive a car, he told the Missouri state license test examiner: “I do not care what score your give her, but she is not driving until she passes my test.” A bit old school, but that was his way.

• Lastly, I recently found a Father’s day card I gave him as an adolescent, which perfectly reflects his and my humor. It read: “To Dad, Who’d give away his last thin dime… from the kid who’d probably take it! Happy Father’s Day.” Unfortunately, I think the card still applies to me today with my son!

SUMMING UP  Art loved his family, and he consistently worked very hard to support them. He taught his 5 children to work hard… and good things will happen. I know he is honored by and appreciates your attendance here today. It is well appreciated. And to that end, I want to thank each of you for your attendance and recognition, and I invite you to join us for Art’s interment celebrating his life at Jefferson Barracks.

“Dad, you will be missed. We love you.”

Thank you