Jones, Owen Richard

Owen Richard Jones died on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, at Mercy Iowa City, at the age of 90 years old, surround by his loving family.

Owen was born May 9, 1922, near Williamsburg, the son of Elias Owen and Sadie Jane (Evans) Jones. He attended country schools and graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1939. He served in the United States Army. On Aug. 29, 1950, Owen married Juanita Mae Pritchard in Albany, Mo. He was a life long farmer and resident of rural Williamsburg. Owen was a member of the Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church. He enjoyed farming, writing his history books, going to sporting events with his family, the Iowa State and Iowa County fair and being involved with 4-H. Owen was most proud of his family and winning the Reserve Grand Champion at the Iowa State Fair in 1941. One of Owen's greatest joys was having all eight children within eight miles of the farm.

He is survived by his eight children, Jane Jones, Don (Sharon) Jones, Richard (Deb) Jones, Roger (Dianne) Jones, Larry (Kris) Jones, all of Williamsburg, Kenny Jones of Parnell, and Russell (Joan) Jones and Barb (Kevin) Carte, all of Williamsburg; 14 grandchildren, Shaun (Brianne) Roberts, Cory Jones, Justin (Amber) Jones, Chad Jones, Amber (Chad) Helmrichs, Andy (Heather) Jones, Phillip Jones, Kevin Jones, Brandon and Bradley Carte, Emily (Chris) Skaggs, Kimberly Jones, Skyler Jones and Amber Rhade; 12 great-grandchildren, Michael Castort, Livia, Levi and Myla Roberts, Avary and Ryker Helmrichs, Christopher, Curtis, Reese and Salina Jones, Warren Humphrey and Ryleigh Jones; two sisters, Alice Prince of Williamsburg and Dorothy Thorpe of Eddyville; a sister-in-law, Jeanne Jones of Williamsburg; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his parents; his wife, Juanita; a brother, Leighton Jones; a sister, Ruth Phillips; sister-in-law, Ruth Pritchard; and brothers-in-law, Lorren Stahl, James Prince, Gaston Phillips, Dean Ridenour and Doug Thorpe.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church, rural North English. The Rev. Edwin Jordan will officiate. Burial will be in the Pilot Grove Cemetery, near Williamsburg. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg.

A memorial fund has been established for the Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church and Iowa County 4-H.

Messages and tributes may be left at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Dec.  4, 2012,