Vernon (Vern) L. Jones, 65, of Columbia, Missouri passed away on July 31, 2014 at home from a year-long battle with cancer surrounded by family and friends. Visitation will be on Monday, August 4, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be at Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at 2:00 pm. Private family services will be at the Westville Cemetery in Westville, Oklahoma on Thursday, August 7, 2014. Mr. Jones was born on July 21, 1949 in Inyokern, California. He was married to Brenda (Guthrie) Jones for 43 years. Vern retired from the University of Missouri in 2010. He served in the US Navy Nuclear Submarine Service from 1970-1978. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #303 in Hallsville. A life-long car enthusiast, he loved racing his F150 Lightning Truck. The only thing he loved more was his family. He was preceded in death by his father, Garvin Jones. Survivors include his wife, Brenda; his son, Cason Jones and wife, Jennifer; two grandchildren, Owen and Addison of Columbia; his mother, Lucille Thompson of Norcross, GA; sisters, Shirley Cook of Lawrenceville, GA, and Janet Helm of Cincinnati, AR. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Vernon Jones Memorial Fund, C/O Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO 65202.
