Mordecai "Mort" Jones

Mordecai “Mort” Jones, 86, of Clinton, passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Union Hospital in Clinton. Mort was born on March 16, 1927, in Bridgeton, to Benjamin and Mary Jones. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1946 and married Ruth Kelley in 1948. Mort will forever be remembered as a true family man and dear friend. Mort’s love for his family, hard work, and determination will be a legacy that lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mort had a strong work ethic. He began working in the coal mines as a teenager to help support his family. He was a member of Laborers Local 204 and Carpenters Local 133. After an accident while building the Clinton River Bridge in 1963 left him disabled as a young man, Mort began to hunt, trap, and fish as a means to keep his family afloat. Mort served as President of Clinton Little League and was a Little League and Babe Ruth Coach for many years. He was a 60 year member of the Jerusalem Lodge 99 and achieved the honor of becoming a 32nd Degree Mason. Mort was also a member of the Scottish Rite and the First Christian Church of Clinton. Mort is survived by his children: Diane Gregory and her husband Norm of Terre Haute; John A. Jones and his wife Dawn of Clinton; and Connie Pierce and her husband David of Terre Haute; grandchildren: Maya Stewart and husband Mike, Tyson Gregory, Trevor Gregory, Tanner Jones, Dustin Jones, Gavin Jones and wife Brittany, Skyler Jones, Destiny Jones, Chad Dickerson and wife Cindy, and Kelley McCan and husband Matt; great-grandchildren: Evan, Ashton, and Preslie Stewart, Ravelyn Jones, Tara Dickerson, Kalon LeFleur, and Noah Baker; sister Rosemary Mattick; brother Bob Jones and wife Mary Ann; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mort was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Ruth Jones; an infant son Randy Jones; his parents, and several siblings. Per Mort’s wishes, cremation was chosen. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Mattox-Wood Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.mattoxwood.com