John Anderson “Butch” Jones Jr. passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of April 27, 2018, in his home. He lost his long battle with lung and brain cancer and heart disease. He is now in the arms of Jesus.
Butch was born at home on Sept. 21, 1941, an only son. His parents were John A. Jones Sr. and Della Marie (Wolford) Jones, both deceased.
He was a businessman in Kokomo, Indiana, for most of his life. He had worked at Continental Steel, Milbank Manufacturing, Ford Motor Co. in California, and he worked with his father many years until he purchased The North End Body Shop Motors and Glass Co., where they did auto restoration, van conversion, used auto sales and professional glass works. He also was the former owner of Caribou Lake Lodge in Armstrong, Ontario, the assistant producer of “Opinions with Valeri Jones,” which aired throughout central Indiana in the early 1990s. He was on the board of directors for The National Metabolic Eating Disorders Society. In the 1990s, he converted the body shop business into The Rendezvous Party House and Meeting Hall. He sold that business and worked for Gibson Contracting delivering U.S. mail until his health caused him to retire.
He really liked President Trump and Fox news. He was a card shark and a great judge of character. He supported the Colts and loved Lucas Stadium in Indianapolis. He always listened to the 500 and was a fan of NASCAR.
He loved fishing and hunting and was a member of the Kokomo Bass Anglers for many years, and he held many offices, attended countless tournaments, winning many. He also volunteered with Moose Carden’s Kids Fishing Clinic. He was a member of the Indiana Bariatric Society, and attended many medical conferences all over North America. Butch loved WWKI’s We Care, contributing throughout the years with many items and purchases.
He served in the Army Reserve. He had traveled the United States extensively and visited Mexico and Canada, and longed to return to Hawaii, which he loved.
He attended several Baptist churches throughout his life and found salvation at Temple Baptist Church. He had attended Bible Baptist in his youth and also attended Westside Baptist in later life.
Being an only son with no brothers, he had several special relationships with his male friends. In particular he was close to Bryan Haskett, Eddie Martin, Dan Williams, Jim McCord, Danny Schaffer Sr., Dave Pross and Charlie Watkins and brother–in-law Billy Gaddis. His cousins were Walt Wolford, Jack Jones Sr. and Jackie Jones Jr., Larry and Bobby Wolford (all cousins deceased). He had one special female cousin he loved to tease, Carolyn McKay, and a special sister friend, Linda Sholty.
Butch was married to Valeri Lynn (Price) Jones, who survives. They shared 48 years. He was the father to five children, Annette (Jimmie) Brooks, John A Jones III (Vickie), Jeanette Richmond, Tony Johnson (Heather), and Jeanne (Chris) Minor.
He was blessed by being Grandpa to 20 children, Nick Brooks, Brianna Brooks, Matt Wilson, Mike Wilson (Becca), Nevin Vaske, Trevor Vaske, Gavin Vaske, Trevor Richmond,Trey Richmond, Cameron Johnson, Kayla Bowers (Courtney), Forrester Marshall, Chase Letizia, Chance Letizia, Cate Letizia, Sawyer Johnson, Adam Corum, Cammi (Ryan) Bagwell, Ashli (Johnny Luse) Minor, Halli Minor; and eight great-grandchildren, Katelynd Brooks (Kraig), Joshua Wade, Camyn McGIll, Eli Wilson, Lorenzo Letizia, Grace Bagwell and Graham Bagwell, and Adaleigh Forman, who gave him six wonderful years of joy and happiness.
He had three sisters, Phyllis Shipp (deceased), Judy Lucas, and Vickie (Billy) Gaddis, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He leaves behind his small companion, Mimsi, his Chihuahua that he loved greatly.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at Sunset Memorial Chapel, and the funeral will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018.
A special thank you goes to Dr. Virjee, Dr. Leagre and Dr. Gupta, their compassionate staff, and St. Vincent’s Hospice and the Sisters of the Poor. And to the children and grandchildren who provided companionship and loving help during this very hard time.
A funeral service will be 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home and Cemetery, 2097 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, Indiana.
