Major Robert Herman Jones (USAF-Retired) of Jacksonville, Arkansas passed from this earthly life on Friday, March 8, 2024. Bob was born on October 23, 1939 to Herman and Annie (Forrester) Jones in Haralson County, Georgia. He grew up in Esom Hill, Georgia on his family's dairy farm with his siblings Edward, Dorothy, and David. His family attended their nearby country church, Harmony Baptist Church. It was there that he received Christ as his Savior and was baptized in the creek out back.

Bob graduated from Cedartown High School in 1957. He received his bachelor's degree from Park College in 1976 and his master's degree from the University of Arkansas in 1982.

Bob developed a love of airplanes and flying at an early age. In 1956, he enlisted in the Georgia Air National Guard as a jet engine mechanic. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1957 and trained as a computer and radar technician. He was nominated for Officer Candidate School in 1961 and began his career as a military officer. He became a C-130 navigator in 1962. Bob served our country during the Vietnam War and was awarded numerous medals and citations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired from active duty in 1977 and began his second career in military uniform as an AFJROTC instructor. Major Jones taught at Jacksonville High School for twenty-three years. The impact and influence he had on his students' lives could never be measured.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and his daughter, Crystal. He is survived by the love of his life, Pollie (Cox). They celebrated sixty-six years of marriage on February 14th  of this year. He is also survived by his daughters, Tammy Thomas (Tim), Robin Hicks (Tim), and Rachel Wicker (Jeff); grandchildren, Chris Thomas (Emily), Laura Tortonesi (Tim), Sarah McDaniel (Aaron), Polly Shore (Aaron), Chloe Wicker, William Wicker (Grace), Joseph Wicker (Laura), Benjamin Wicker, Jonathan Wicker, Esther Wicker, Anna Wicker, Abigail Wicker, and Nathanael Wicker; and great-grandchildren, Porter, Cora, Beau, Thaddeus  and Neveah Thomas, Caleb, Joshua, Luke, Amelia and Benjamin Tortonesi, and Lily McDaniel.

Bob loved the Lord and he loved people. He never met a stranger and was always ready with a smile, a hug, or a strong handshake. He attended First Baptist Church of South Bend and was an active member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the Military Order of World Wars, the Order of Daedalians, Air & Space Forces Association, and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Bob Jones was an exceptional husband, father, granddad, neighbor, and friend. He was a truly kind and generous man and was a story-teller extraordinaire. He will be missed by so many. Your presence here says you had the great privilege of knowing him.

Bob's favorite Bible verse was: "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." Psalm 118:8

A time of visitation is set for Monday, March 11 from 5-7 pm.

Funeral service will be on Tuesday, March 12 at 2 pm. Both services will be held at Moore's Funeral Home in Jacksonville.