Bob was born in Indianapolis, on Oct 4, 1926. He was the youngest of 3 children born to George and Kathleen Jones.

He served in the Army during WWII. While in Japan, he was assigned to the kitchen and spent most of his military time, as a Mess Sargent. Bob continued to have a love for cooking throughout his long life. Mostly known for his pulled pork, pig roasts and peach cobbler, in a dutch oven, over a campfire.

Bob met the love of his life, Edna Breeden, on a blind date and they were married, on 10/2/48 and blessed with 55 years together. Edna died in 2004, of pancreatic cancer. Bob was always by her side.

They had 3 children, Roger, Sandy and Carla. All of which married and gave Bob and Edna 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

During Bob's long life (92 years), he was a member of many organizations and had many hobbies. He and Edna were active Boy Scout and Cub Scout leaders. Bob also earned the honor of Silver Beaver. Which is one of the highest awards for adults leading in the Boy Scouts.

They also enjoyed many years of league bowling and they greatly enjoyed camping. They had a travel trailer with all the amenities. However, Bob did tent camping for many years before getting a trailer.

After Bob became a Mason, at Lynhurst Lodge 723, he and Edna became members of Eastern Star Chapter 505 and then went on to participate in leadership roles for Job's Daughters Bethel 11.

Bob was also a member of the Scottish Rite, American Legion, Moose Lodge 500 and Speedway Optimist Club.

As a young man, Bob worked in a grocery, drug store, was a soda jerk and drove a bread delivery truck, before landing on the occupation of “ironwork”. He was employed by Huber, Hunt and Nickels before working more than 20 years for Geiger and Peters Structural Steel, which is from where he retired. He has received his 65 year pin from the Iron Workers Union. He was a union man through and through.

Bob was not much for sports; however, he did get addicted to golfing for several years. He and his best friend, John, went often.

Also, for many years, you would find Bob behind the beard of Old St. Nick, passing out presents to the little ones. And often, Mrs. Claus (Edna) would be by his side.

Bob was most happy when he was designing, planning, building or fixing something that someone needed or wanted. He loved “have a purpose”.

You might notice some items in his casket: A C-clamp (it can hold anything together), a nail file (could never have a chipped nail), a red handkerchief (could be used for everything from blowing your nose, making a baby cradle or attaching plumb weights to make a parachute – never left home without one), a watch (only way to tell time – no cell phone), a bear made from Edna's night gown, after she passed away and of course a lovely picture of his wife of 55 years. All of these things needed for the rest of his journey.

In most recent years, Bob's most common response when asked if he needed anything, was “time and a few kind words”. Isn't that what all of us really need?

Robert Jones

October 04, 1926 - January 23, 2019

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