William Robert “Bob” Jones

William Robert (Bob) Jones, born April 14, 1947 to Frank and Gloria Jones in Poteau, OK, died at Hospice of the Ozarks on March 19, 2024 at the age of 76. Survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon Jones; children, Heidi and Charlie Loften of Fayetteville, AR, Rob Jones of Olympia, WA, and Daniel and Denise Jones of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Maylee, Lauren, and Laylah Loften, and Zeke and Samara Jones; and brother Homer and JoJean Jones.

Bob was a big, jovial presence, and was always sharing stories, many of which were true, of the life full of adventure he lived.

Bob attended high school in Heavener, OK and Denison, TX. He received his BS in animal husbandry from Sul Ross University and a Masters in School Administration from UALR.

After high school, Bob received a letter from Uncle Sam concerning enlistment opportunities for the Vietnam War. He enlisted as a Navy Corpsman and served 3 tours in Vietnam with both the Navy and Marine Corps.

When he returned home, Bob began his dream of ranching on The Jones Ponderosa in DeQueen, AR, raising angus cattle and broiler chickens. Bob and Sharon raised their family in DeQueen, where Bob also served as Associate Director of the Cossatot Vo-tech School, and long-time president of the school board. 

For their next adventure, Bob sold the ranch and moved to Woodland Park, CO where he worked as a broker with Prudential Realty and director of a girls’ residential treatment facility.

The love of grandchildren and family brought him back to Arkansas to retire in Mountain Home. Bob enjoyed many hobbies including fly fishing, fly tying, wood carving, and bamboo rod building. He and his favorite adventure companion, Sharon, traveled the world, visiting 6 continents together. A long-time member of the First United Methodist Church, Bob enjoyed volunteering with their backpack feeding program, as well as the Christian Clinic, Baxter County Library, Mruk Family Center, Hospice of the Ozarks, and playing Santa for Head Start and the local autism support group.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Bob’s legacy of love and service through an act of kindness in your community and a donation to the First United Methodist Church backpack feeding program or Mountain Home Christian Clinic.

A Memorial Service for Bob will be 1:00 pm on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, held at First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas, with Reverend Daniel Thueson officiating. Burial will be in the Fayetteville National Cemetery, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.