Kenneth Edward Jones

Kenneth Edward Jones was born south of North Platte Nebraska on July 14, 1935 to Raleigh and Helen (Dike) Jones. He died on September 26, 2020 in Lexington Nebraska. Kenneth was raised in Maywood Nebraska until the family moved to North Platte, where he graduated from North Platte High School in 1953. While in school, Kenneth participated in football, track, basketball and baseball, he loved athletics.

At the age of 15 Kenneth began working after school and on weekends at Sixth Street Food Store to help his family. Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served during the Korean War Conflict. When returning to civilian life, he met and married Shirley Chamberlain. Together they raised their two children Rochelle (Steve) Hagan and Bob (Tammy) Jones and enjoyed 62 years of marriage together.

In 1959 the family moved to Lexington where Ken continued to work at Sixth Street Food Store. In 1963 Ken began employment as a route salesman for Old Home Bread and the family moved to Aurora Nebraska, Hastings Nebraska and then back to Lexington in 1971. Ken retired from Old Home Bread in 1990. He and Shirley then moved to North Platte where he worked as a custodian for North Platte Public Schools and in maintenance at the Sutherland Rest Area.   Health issues resulted in Ken having to retire from working, he and Shirley then returned to Lexington in 2013 where he resided until his death.

Ken was an avid sports fan. For many years, he bowled and was inducted into the Lexington Bowling Hall of Fame. He was an avid fisherman, sharing his fishing skills with his grandsons Alex and Kent. He also enjoyed camping, watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in their athletic activities and loved watching and talking about college sports, especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and professional baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals and his son’s favorite Chicago Cubs. Ken also coached little league baseball and youth football for several years. One other thing he was known for was being an excellent “chef”.   He enjoyed making food for friends and family and was often asked to “cater” events for friends.

Nothing made Ken prouder than his children’s success as adults. He loved seeing Bob coach high school football and talked often of Bob’s teams and he often said he had the best nurse at Mayo Clinic, daughter Rochelle. Trips to Texas and Minnesota were especially important to him and he also enjoyed traveling to other places and sharing those experiences with family or friends.

Ken was the kind of guy that if you needed something or needed help and he was able to provide that help or give you what you needed, he would. He believed that any job worth doing was worth doing well and was a perfectionist. As a route salesman, his customers were always first, he never took a sick day and he always found a way to assure that the stores and cafes he serviced had what they needed.  Although Ken suffered multiple health issues, he was strong and his granddaughter referred to him as “Ironman” as he defied death and physicians’ predictions multiple times.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter and son-in-law Rochelle and Steve Hagan of Rochester, Minnesota, son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Tammy Jones of Sherman Texas, grandchildren Amanda (Dain) Kavars, Yorktown Indiana, Kent (Heidi Mueske) Hagan, Rochester, Minnesota, Alex Jones, Austin, Texas and Andrew Johnson of Texas. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Olivia and Emmalyn Kavars, Gavin, Pierce, Nolan, Cora and Clara Hagan, and Evie Jones. Other survivors are his sister Betty (Loren) Snyder of North Platte, brothers and sisters-in-laws: Robert and Kathy Jones of Mason City Iowa, Larry and Patty Jones of Roca Nebraska, sister-in-law Carolyn Rhoden of North Platte and several nieces and nephews and his best buddy Peavey his dog.  He was preceded in death by his parents Raleigh and Helen Jones, in-laws Milt and Ruth Chamberlain, sisters and brother -in-laws Ilene and Bob Boltz, and Norma and Lee Knoble, brothers-in-laws: Loren Snyder and John Rhoden and several nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed and remembered.

The family is honoring Kenneth’s wish for cremation. There will be a Memorial Book Signing on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 5-7 p.m. at Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, Nebraska.

A memorial has been established in Kenneth’s honor, and kindly suggested to the family for later designation.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefunerahome.com