"Bob was a great brother-in-law, always had a great joke to tell you and enjoyed the computer with all the jokes he sent and we sent to him. He will be greatly missed, but won't be forgotten. Loved him Verla"
In loving memory of
Robert Sidney Jones
August 31, 1922 - May 4, 2019
Robert S. (Bob) Jones, 96, passed away peacefully at the Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale, Iowa on Saturday, May 4, 2019.
He was born on August 31, 1922 in Des Moines, Iowa to the late Sidney and Pearl (Hittle) Jones. He attended public schools in Des Moines and graduated from North High, received his Bachelor of Science from Drake University and his Master of Science from Iowa State University. Bob volunteered and served his country honorably during and after World War II and the Korean War with the Air Force, Air Force Reserves and the Iowa Air National Guard. Bob danced his way into a beautiful young girl's heart at the Tromar Ballroom. He had found the love of his life, Arzetta Joyce Breon. They recently celebrated their 72 year marriage. They had one son, Steven, of Des Moines, who preceded him in death in 2015 at the age of 60, and a surviving daughter Christine (David) Nielsen of Duluth, Georgia. He became a licensed printer and worked at the Des Moines Register and Tribune. Bob dedicated his life to public service and was a Supervisor/Counselor for Des Moines Public Schools; an instructor at Area 11 Community College in Ankeny; a Civil Rights Specialist for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission; a Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity Specialist and a Labor Relations Officer for the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from which he retired in 1993. Bob was proud of his 20+ years of Military, State and Federal service. As long time native Iowans, the family also lived in Maine, Louisiana, Kentucky and Georgia. Bob was made an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Alabama State Militia by Governor Guy Hunt and he was awarded the commission of Kentucky Colonel by Governor John Brown.
Bob had a good sense of humor. He loved pheasant hunting and his Canadian fishing trips with friends and family. He also enjoyed socializing with his many friends at the Urbandale Senior Center.
He was preceded in death by his older brother Joe Jones.
Bob is survived by 5 grandchildren - Adam Nielsen, Kyle (Carrie) Nielsen, Tara Nguyen, Jennifer (Martin Ortiz) Jones, Katie (Daniel Quinones) Jones and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as many other friends and relatives, all of whom he loved dearly.
Our sincere thanks to the staff at Suncrest Home Health and Hospice of West Des Moines, Deerfield Retirement Community in Urbandale and Chaplain Jason Pool for the love, care and support provided to Bob and his family.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday May 14th at the Giovannetti Community Shelter at Walker Johnston Park - 9000 Douglas Avenue in Urbandale. The family will be available to greet everyone before and after the service. Military burial will follow at Glendale Cemetary, Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Suncrest Home Health and Hospice of West Des Moines or to the family for forwarding.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be expressed at http://www.celebratelifeiowa.com