John William Jones, 78, passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at St. Lukes Hospital on the Plaza. He was born July 4, 1944, to David E. and Pauline (Lawson) Jones at the family home in Lowry City, MO.
He attended Lowry City High School and received his diploma in 1962. After graduation he moved to Kansas City, MO to attend Moler Barber School and graduated July 27, 1963, he then moved to Tipton, MO where he worked at a Barber shop in Versailles, MO.
On June 17, 1965, John was drafted into the Army at the same time as Bill Stout, Jim Naylor, Douglas W. Jones, Lonnie Wilson, Jerry E. Carpenter, and Donovan L. Cloud, all from St. Clair County. This is one of the largest contingents of draftees for the service in recent years, boarded the bus at Osceola, MO for the induction in Kansas City, MO.
His basic training took place in Fort Leonard Wood, MO for two months. After basic training he trained as a military policeman at Fort Gordon, Georgia, for two months. He was later transferred to Fort Dix, New Jersey for six weeks to complete his military police training. Following this training, he was transferred overseas to Vicenza, Italy. The trip was made on a troop transport boat and took fourteen days.
While in Italy, his duties included Gate Guard duty, Post Patrol, Town Patrol, Desk Sergeant and Shift Commander.
At the time of discharge in June 1967, his rank was Specialist E-4. John received: Good conduct medal, and his National Defense Service Expert (rifle) medal.
After his service in the military he began his career as a State Trooper for Troop H headquarters starting on September 30, 1967. He was sent to Harrison County and in 1994 he was in the gaming commission and worked at a casino in St. Joseph, MO. He retired August 31, 1996.
September 10, 2015, John was united in marriage to his loving and caring wife April (Hartzler.) They were married at Drake Harbor by the river in Warsaw, MO.
Johns survivors include: wife April of Lowry City, sons: Brent R. Jones of Bethany, MO, Shane E. and Nichole Jones of Bethany, MO, and grandsons: Calvin, Kaden, Carter and Cooper.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Vera (Jones) Hargis.
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