Jacob Jack Jones

Jacob (Jake) Jack Jones, a long-time resident of the Portland community, died Friday the 5th of December at the Missouri Veterans Home where he resided in Mexico. He was born March 29, 1922, to the late Eula Alice Pemberton and William Platt Jones. Jake married Betty Jane Atkinson on March 13, 1945, in Fulton.

Survivors include his two sons, Jerry (Diane) Jones, Nixa; Jack ( Susan) Jones, Columbia, four daughters, Janice ( Jim) Dickneite, Holts Summit; Dotty ( Tim) Sapp, Ashland; Jody ( Mike) Mealy, Portland; and Joyce Dempsay, Girard, IL; one sister, Bonnie Greger, Columbia; and one sister-in-law, Mabel Jones, Portland, 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Jake was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; one infant daughter, Claire Sue Jones, one infant son, Joseph Lee Jones, one grandson, Stephen Brian Dickneite, one brother, Roy Jones, two sisters, Hazel Finley and Dorotha Meinhardt and one sister-in-law, Mildred Cooke and four brother-in-laws, Wilson Finley, Doris Meinhardt, Garland Greger, and Robert Atkinson.

Jake served in the Army/Air Force during World War II (1942-46). Jake owned and operated Jones Store with his wife for many years and began working for the US Postal Service as a Postmaster in Portland March, 1955 and later as a rural carrier in Holts Summit when he retired in July, 1982.

Jake was very active with the local school, South Callaway, where he drove a school bus for sports and class trips and was the official scorekeeper for many basketball games and tournaments.

Jake was a member of the Portland Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and other positions including song leader and Sunday School Superintendent. Life after retirement included 20+ years of mission work for the Lord. He and Betty served many winters working at the Florida Baptist College, Graceville, Florida and with Campers on Missions and B.U.D.D. Builders. Summertime volunteering included maintenance work as well as dishwashing at Camp Windermere in Roach, MO for thousands of campers.

Visitation is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 with services beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court Street, Fulton, Missouri 65251 with the Reverend Steve Webb officiating. Interment will be at Callaway Memorial Gardens.

Memorial gifts may be made to Camp Windermere or the Mexico Missouri Veterans Home in care of Debo Funeral Home.