Claude Halbert (Hal) Jones, Jr., age 81, passed away on November 25, 2023, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron, MO. Hal was born in Norman, AR to Alta Maxine (Rice) and Claude Halbert Jones. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings (Barbara Fryar, Nell Bullock, and Eddie Jones).
Hal was raised in Mt. Ida, AR and was a proud Mt. Ida Lion who graduated with the Class of 1960. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1961-1965 where he learned welding and electronics. Later he applied those skills to a career in welding and robotics support services and sales based in St. Louis, MO. He raised his family in Florissant, MO where he lived for nearly 40 years. He retired back to Mt. Ida in 2004 before spending his final few years at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron, MO.
Hal was kind and generous with his time to serve others. He was always willing to lend a hand to support those around him. He loved his family, and his friends who were like family. Outside of work, Hal was an avid reader, a strong chess and dominoes player, and a lifelong lover of music, history, and sports. He played basketball in his youth and throughout his life enjoyed attending games of any kind, especially if his grandchildren were playing.
Hal is survived by daughters Kerri (Brad) Bunge of Platte City, MO and Kelli (Brian) Nienaber of Alexandria, VA, and his beloved grandchildren Kyle, Luke, Travis, Daniel, Alison, and Isaac. Surviving family includes siblings Gayle (Noah) Williamson, Shirley Rogers, Jonnie Irvan, Sam (Carolyn) Jones, Charlie Jones, Nancy (Glen) Cogburn, Bill (Evelyn) Jones, Jack Jones, Colleen (Ricky) Mitchell, Paula (Jim) Noga, Jan (Danny) Richey, Ken Jones, plus numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
A memorial service will be held in Arkansas on a later date.Memorial donations may be made in Hal’s name to the Veterans Assistance League – Cameron www.cameronval.org with gratitude for the excellent care given by the staff at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron, or to the Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org.
