Ronald Ryan Jones

Mr. Jones was born at home in Fairfield Highlands, Jefferson County, Alabama at 4:30 am on Tuesday, September 10, 1929. Ronald was heavily influenced by his parents and he maintained a close relationship with both throughout the course of their lives. He loved his mother deeply and would make sure everyone knew how strong of a force she was in his life. When describing his father he said, “while I may not be of his blood, I am his spitting image and everything I am is because of him. He was the best example of what a father is to me.”

Ronald was born at the beginning of the Great Depression and by the end of 1934, his family was living in Elyton, Jefferson County, Alabama. In early 1935, in search of work, his parents left Alabama for Beaumont, Texas where they rented an apartment overlooking the Beaumont Zoo. Ronald recalled watching the alligator exhibit from his bedroom. That same year the family moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and then Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The family was living in Pittsburgh during the Johnstown Flood of 1936. Following the flood, they returned to Alabama where they resided in West End. In 1938, the family moved to Rocky Ridge where they would remain throughout the remainder of his childhood. 

In 1944 at the age of 15, Ronald met his future wife, the then Miss Barbara Jean Harris. They were subsequently married on October 23, 1948, in Columbus, Mississippi. They would later become the parents of four children and remain married for the next 72 years until her death in 2021. 

Following his graduation from Shades Cahaba, in 1948, his father arranged an internship for him at the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company where he trained as a machinist. That same year, Ronald enlisted in the United States Army. By 1951, he was stationed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina acting as an Infantry Drill Sergeant. From there he was stationed in both Germany and Japan before serving as a Platoon Sergeant for the 25th Infantry Division in the Korean War from 1951-1952. He was wounded twice in combat. Following the war, he enlisted in the United States Army Reserves. In total he served 37 and a half years, starting his military career as a private and was promoted through the ranks to Lieutenant Colonel in 1974. In September of 1989, he retired from the military. After returning from Korea, he joined his father at Fairfield Steel before moving to the American Cast Iron Pipe Company on April 28, 1954, where he would remain until his retirement on January 1, 1990. 

Throughout his life, Mr. Jones made and maintained connections with everyone he met. He had an excellent memory, rarely forgot a name or face, and had an incredible recollection for detail. In his earlier years, he was a pitcher in the Birmingham Amateur Baseball Federation from 1948-1960. He loved hunting and fishing, playing golf, and spending time at the lake house and Florida house. Ronald was a member of the ACIPCO bowling league for over 60 years and was proud to have bowled a perfect game. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling the country in his motorhome alongside a special group of friends.

Mr. Jones was a Christian and enjoyed sharing his love for the Lord and ministering through acts of service with Carpenters for Christ. Mr. Jones was a long-standing member of Lakeside Baptist Church before becoming a member of Providence Baptist Church in his later years.

Mr. Jones had a huge heart and loved his family. He formed special connections with each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in a way that each was sure they were his favorite. Whether it be through a nickname, recalling a memory, or a special phrase, he always made each feel like they were the most important person in the world. With a sparkle in his eye and a loving tone he would ask a question like “has anyone told you lately that you’re special?” He constantly showed his love through both words and actions. To know him was to love him.

Mr. Jones was preceded in death by his wife the late Mrs. Barbara Jean Harris Jones, his parents Mr. Albert Curtis “Al” Jones and Ms. Nora Valeria “Bill” Bennett Jones, brother Mr. Alan Andrew Fuller, and a brother-in-law Dr. Fakradine Dolatabadi. Mr. Jones is survived by his sister Mrs. Billie Thelma Jones Dolatabadi, his brother Mr. Samuel Donald Fuller (Patricia), four children Mr. Ronald Wayne Jones (Violet), Mr. Richard Lee Jones (Louise), Mrs. Carol Jones Watson (Jim), Mrs. Lisa Jones Anglin (Doug), and brother-in-law Mr. Terrell Lee Harris (Mary Elaine) and sister-in-law Mrs. Diane Day Fuller. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and a fifteenth great-grandchild on the way, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

The funeral service for Mr. Jones will be held on September 22, 2022, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home on Cahaba Valley Road. The family will be received at 10:30 am and will receive visitors at 11:00 am. A service will follow at 12 pm. Military Funeral Honors will be presented at the graveside following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Providence Baptist Church at 190 County Road 46, Montevallo, Alabama 35115 in memory of Mr. Ronald Ryan Jones.