Randall Jones

Lifelong Marshalltown resident Randall Jones, 86, died Friday, October 16, 2015 after a short illness. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 23rd, 2015, at 5:00 pm at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. A memorial service and dinner will be held following visitation. Memorial contributions can be given to the family for a gift to Marshalltown High School athletics. For condolences or questions please visit: www.mitchellfh.com. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Randy and his family. Phone 641-844-1234. It seemed Randy Jones knew everybody in Marshalltown. Visits to a store or restaurant were always slowed by chats with close friends and old acquaintances. It was the result of working on Main Street for nearly four decades, involvement in the community he loved, and an outgoing and warm personality. Known for his bright red hair, Randys passion was family, but the MHS Bobcats were a close second. A 1947 MHS grad, he volunteered countless hours for the Bobcats on the football chain gang, as a track timer, the baseball scoreboard operator and, for more than 20 years, the basketball PA voice at the Roundhouse. He even subbed a bit as host of KFJB radios 5th Quarter coaches post-game show. He was named Mr. Bobcat in 1977. Randy had many other interests including movies, books, astronomy, science fiction, aircraft, wildlife and his pet dogs. He also loved spending time with many dear friends and traveling throughout the nation. He was active in organizations such as the Marshalltown Quarterback Club, Legion of Guardsmen, American Legion, and former Mayor Gene Beachs brain trust that met regularly for coffee. Randy was born October 8, 1929 to Arthur and Lillian (Lien) Jones in Marshalltown. A child of the Great Depression and teen during World War II, he attended Marshalltown Junior College after high school and later served in the Army at posts in the U.S. He met a pretty nurse from Kansas City, Nancy Tegtmeyer, who was working in Marshalltown. They married on January 5, 1956, and had a son and two daughters. Randy spent his professional life in retail sales in Marshalltown, first at Home Furniture and for 26 years at the Times-Republican. Randy was preceded in death by Nancy in 2008, just days after their 52nd wedding anniversary. They are survived by their three children: Steve (Diane) Jones of Ames, Debby (Chuck) Pille of Bloomington, Minn., and Tracy (John) Discher of Burnsville, Minn. Randy and Nancy spoiled eight grandchildren: Amy (Patrick) Wildermann, Richmond, Va., Dan (Anja) Jones, Urbandale; Justin (Nikki) Pille, St. Paul, Minn; Mike (Megan) Jones, Ankeny; Lindsey Pille (fiance' Mark Myers), Minneapolis, Minn.; Ben (Daranda) Jones, Dubuque; and Jordan and Nick Discher, Burnsville, Minn. Randy also is survived by five great-grandchildren: Amalia, Alex, Liam and Alida Jones and Louis Pille. Randy was proud of his two older brothers, Richard, who died in 2010, and Roger, a resident at the Iowa Veterans Home, both of whom were World War II combat vets.