Richard James Jones Sr., age 74, passed away peacefully on Friday,  May 4, 2018, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti, MO.

Born on March 30, 1944, in Lamar, Mississippi, he was the son of the late Ethel Lou (Campbell) Shepherd and Jack Jones Sr. He later became a longtime resident of New Madrid, where he made a lasting impression on everyone he met.

In addition to owning a small but popular dance hall on Russell St. in New Madrid, he spent a number of years running a lawn care business through which he serviced many homes in the community while teaching his children the value of having a strong work ethic.

He was also a smart, dedicated, and standout employee of several local businesses, including Western Auto, Riley A.C. Grain Co., and a lumber store that was once located in downtown New Madrid.

In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching pro wrestling, and especially visiting the great number of family members and friends he had in the area.

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Ethel Lou (Campbell) Shepherd, his father, Jack Jones Sr., a brother, James Edward Dye, and two sisters, Willie Mae Owens and Dorothy Grissom.

He leaves to cherish his memory two brothers, Jack Jones Jr. and his wife Irma of New Madrid and James Earl Shepherd of Earle, AR, a sister, Zelnora Brown of Howardville; six daughters, Carolyn Craig and her husband Willie of Mason, OH, Diann Jones and Colleen Jones of Toledo, OH, Rita Jones of New Madrid, Marva Drake and Yulonda Drake  both of Kennett, seven sons, Richard J. Jones Jr. and his wife Cheryl of Detroit, MI, Kareem Jones of Toledo, OH, Kenneth Buchanan and his wife Zianna of Jacksonville, FL, R Paris Jones of New Madrid, Justin Jennings of Portageville, Michael Jordan Jones of Jacksonville, FL and Ricky Lee Griffin of Chicago, IL, 28 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other close family members and friends whom he loved deeply.

Beloved and respected by all those he opened his heart and life to, Richard will be missed dearly and cherished forever.