Robert “Bob” Jones, 97, of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday, June 6, 2025, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House.
Robert Edgar Jones, the fifth and youngest child of Thomas Richard and Hazel Lois (Reynolds) Jones, was born at the home of his parents in rural Oskaloosa on July 26, 1927. A highlight from his youth was his involvement in 4-H. He showed hogs, sheep, and dairy cattle at fairs. Bob served on the county 4H and the FFA judging teams at the Iowa State Fair. Bob held all the offices in his local club. He also served as FFA President. He placed 4th in the National Dairy Cattle Judging Contest in a field of 1,200 contestants. His intentions in his youth were to be a livestock buyer, but he ended up becoming a retailer instead.
After his 1944 graduation from Oskaloosa High School, Bob took a course with Iowa State University and tested dairy cattle in four counties. He then worked for Maytag Dairy Farms, where he served as an assistant herdsman. Bob’s most memorable times at Maytag included escorting heifers by box car to New Jersey. He also sold a young Maytag bull for $10,000.
Later, Bob was employed by Wilcox-Garland Furniture Store. After working for the store for eleven years, Bob bought the store
in 1958, which he owned for 41 years. He also owned furniture stores in Grinnell from 1965 to 1978 and in Ottumwa from 1985 to 1988. Bob retired from the furniture business in 2003.
Bob was a member of the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa and served in nearly every capacity within the church. He was President of the Oskaloosa Jaycees and was President of the Iowa Jaycees from 1960-1961. Bob was a Past Master and a 75-year member of the Masons’ Council Lodge. He served as President of the Oskaloosa Chamber of Commerce, Iowa State Floor Covering Club, and the Oskaloosa Rotary Club.
Bob enjoyed teasing everyone, traveling, being with his family, sneaking food to his grand dogs, Iowa and Iowa State sports, and showcasing improvements around his Oskaloosa.
Bob’s family includes his wife, Violet, of 76 years; three sons: Rev. Clifford (Karen) Jones of Princeton, KY; Keith (Susan) Jones of Chanhassen, MN; and Steven (Cynthia) Jones of Portland, OR; four granddaughters: Anita Gillis, Brook Miles, Amy Jones and Ione Jones; three grandsons: Curtis Jones, Ryan Jones, Oscar Jones; three great-grandsons: Robert Wynn, Noah Miles, and Kenny Gillis; and one great-granddaughter: Kaylah Jones. Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his youngest son, Gary; three sisters: Mildred DeJong, Myrtle Lois Martin, and Elsie Jones; a brother, Thomas Jones Jr.; and a great-grandson, Blake Wynn.
Funeral Services for Bob will take place at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa, with Rev. Robert Goodrich and Rev. Molly Goodrich officiating. Burial will take place following the services at Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel, with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. to greet friends and relatives.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa or the Oskaloosa Rotary Club.
