Paul E. Jones, Jr.

Paul E. Jones Jr., 68, long time resident of the Mansfield area passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, October 27, 2015, at Brethren Care Village in Ashland, Ohio. He was surrounded by his family as he joyfully entered into the loving arms of Jesus and is now renewed in his new home in Heaven. A wonderful tribute witnessed by his family to a life lived with graciousness and genuine love. He was born August 21, 1947, in Lucas, Ohio, the only child of the late Paul E. Jones, Sr. and Esther (Bittinger) Jones.

Paul graduated from Lucas High School in 1965 and continued his education in many arenas throughout the years. He was a four-year veteran of the U.S. Army. After his discharge, he graduated from the Police Academy and was a volunteer policeman for the Ontario Police Department. He then worked in the private security sector for several years. Paul decided to continue his training by attending polygraph school and became a detective with the Richland County Sheriff Department. While there, he continued his training and became a licensed hypnotist. Paul's career in law enforcement spanned his lifetime and after retirement from the Sheriff Department, he started his most rewarding and favorite career by becoming a coroner's assistant for Richland County. He worked under Dr. Milton Oakes, Dr. Harley Lindquist, Dr. William Jeffries, Dr. Stephen Banko and Dr. Stewart Ryckman and retired for a second time in 2010.

While he valued his own education, Paul also valued the education of others and taught classes in forensics and criminal justice at North Central State College. His intelligence, passion and genuine care of others perfectly suited his chosen professions. Anyone who ever met Paul knew he loved life and treasured his family and friends. His generosity and compassion knew no boundaries and he was a stalwart defender of justice. His care for children was demonstrated by his giving every child he encountered while he was a member of the coroner's office a teddy bear to comfort them. In his free time, he could be found fishing or driving around appreciating nature. His grandchildren brought much joy to his life and kept him young at heart.

Those who were fortunate enough to know Paul knew his sense of humor had no limits. He loved to laugh and make others laugh with him. He was a jokester and you never knew what he might have up his sleeve. Paul definitely kept everyone on their toes waiting for a prank that may be lurking just around the corner. His storytelling was unmatched and you had to be a vigilant listener because the "stories" could take a turn that surprised you.

On March 16, 1968, he married Linda Letts and they shared 47 wonderful and adventurous years together. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Tunya (Jeff) Moorhead of Shelby, Rhonda (Gary) Kline of West Salem, Tabitha Frey of Mansfield and Jonathan Jones of Lucas; eight grandchildren, Olyvia Moorhead, Zachary, Blake, Emily and Willis Frey, Dallas Smith, and Hunter and Jillian Jones; and many treasured family friends and dear relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Audrey Grassick.

Paul's family will receive friends from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2015, in the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service conducted by Rev. Dr. Faith Proietti will be held Friday at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Memorial Park with military honors presented by the U.S. Army and the Richland County Joint Veteran's Burial Squad.

If you wish to honor Paul's memory, doing a kind deed or helping someone in need would be most appreciated by the family. His family wants to extend special gratitude to the staff at Brethren Care Village, home health nurse, Sarah, home health aide, Cheryl, and all the doctors, nurses and staff at North Central Ohio Hospice for the exceptional care given to Paul.

Paul was a one-in-a-million man who will be remembered fondly and greatly missed by everyone who knew him.