Ray Jones

(From Parker Mortuary)

Carroll Ray Jones, 84, of Oronogo, Missouri, passed in his home surrounded by his family on March 14, 2021, after battling months of illness.

Ray was born on July 16, 1936, to Cecil and Violet Jones. After the death of his mother, he was raised by his grandparents, Bill and Ethel Jones in Alba, Missouri, where he spent most of his childhood. 

Ray joined the Army and was stationed in France and Germany. On February 23, 1962, he married the love of his life, Janet (Cook) Jones, and they were blessed with their two children: Kim Stross and Mitchell Jones.

Ray loved the Lord, and his family rests easy in the knowledge that he is now in the presence of his Savior. He was a member of New Providence Baptist Church in Oronogo, Missouri, where he leaves behind many cherished friends and loved ones.

Among Ray’s many gifts, he was a successful businessman. He owned and operated Main Street Meat Market in Webb City with Raymond Cooper, Jones Food Center in Alba, Central Meat Market in Carthage, and he then worked as a salesman for Dan Stanley Ford in Joplin and Spicer Chevrolet in Neosho. He owned and operated Neosho Meat Company and later, with his wife Janet, two gift shops: Neosho Gift, Etc. in Neosho and Heart Strings in Joplin. A well-respected member of his community, he served on the Alba City Council and Jasper County School Board. Never one to know a stranger, he was a people person and invested in others. If you knew him well at all, you knew you could count on a wink and smile upon every greeting.

As much as he devoted himself to business, his heart belonged outdoors, and his variety of hobbies speaks to the range of his talents. In his early adulthood, he raced at Mo-Kan Dragway with his ‘57 Ford Ranchero and won many trophies with the help of his good friend and mechanic, Bob Lashmet. Ray was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener. As soon as his grandchildren could walk, he included them in his deep love of God’s creations. Papa, as he was known to his grandkids, could be found down at his pond teaching them his fishing secrets or in the garden pointing out the best-eating tomatoes, salt shaker at the ready in his pocket. Memories of camping, fishing, cooking, and laughing to tears at his stories will forever be held dearly by his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Janet; daughter Kim and her husband Bill Stross; son Mitchell; daughter-in-law Kim Jones; grandchildren Matthew and wife Michaella Stross; Aaron Stross; Amanda and her husband Cameron Royster; Allie Jones and Cameron Carter; Julie and her husband Andy Gloshen; Kailee and Dalton Jones; and great-grandchildren Cora Royster and Noah Younge.

A visitation service will be held at Parker Mortuary on Thursday, March 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 19, at 11:00 a.m. at New Providence Baptist Church in Oronogo, Missouri. Burial will follow at the Purcell Friends Cemetery.