Roger Jones

We lost one of the great ones from the Greatest Generation. Roger L. Jones, 93, died peacefully and surrounded by his loving family July 8, 2018, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. For a man who never married and had no children, Roger was loved by many during his lifetime. His generosity, caring attitude, quick wit, and positive outlook on life endeared him to all. Roger had that rare ability to make everyone close to him believe she or he was his favorite. Everyone had a unique relationship with Roger, and his thoughts and concerns were never about him, they were always about you. Roger was born October 27, 1924 in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Arthur and Lillian Jones. He grew up during the Great Depression, the middle child between brothers Richard (1920-2010) and Randall (1929-2015). Roger was a combat veteran of World War II. He joined the Army Air Force in 1943 and served in the 485th Bomb Group in Venosa, Italy, from late 1944 until the end of the European war in spring 1945. He was a nose gunner on a B-24 crew, earning credit for 23 missions over Southern Europe. The War took Roger to locales and provided him with experiences unimaginable to a poor Iowa kid. His wartime memories, like those of many from his generation, lasted a lifetime. He never considered himself a hero. “It was just something you had to do,” he said about wartime service. After the War, Roger sold cars in Iowa before a long career working in Ford Motor Company’s parts distribution system in Des Moines and Kansas City. He retired to Marshalltown in 1992. For a time he also owned the Roger Jones Barbershop at 210 W. Boone Street in Marshalltown. Roger is survived by his nephews and nieces, Tracy (John) Discher, Burnsville, Minn., Debby (Chuck) Pille, Bloomington, Minn., Steve (Diane) Jones, Ames, Iowa, and Al Jones, Des Moines, in addition to eight great nephews and nieces who considered him another grandparent and 10 great-great nephews and nieces ages 1 to 11. Roger is already missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be held on July 23, 2018 at the Iowa Veteran’s Home Chapel at 10:00 a.m.