Richard "Rick" Thomas Jones

LEXINGTON - Richard “Rick” Thomas Jones, born in Hattiesburg, MS, June 25, 1947, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, in Lexington SC. Rick received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969. After serving as an officer in the Air Force from 1970-1975, he completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Carolina in 1977. He began his civilian career as an Engineer with SCE&G in 1977, and remained with the company until his retirement in 2011. During that time, he settled in Lexington, where he met and married Johnette Dority, his wife of over 30 years. Together they raised their three sons, enjoying living on the shores of Lake Murray. Athletically talented, Rick played high school baseball and football (pitcher and quarterback) and was awarded the Football Sportsmanship Award during his senior year. He was musically talented as well, forming a rock band with his friends called The Roustabouts. They later became known as The Magic Carpet when they became more “famous” outside their local community.

Rick began his military career in 1969 at the Air Force Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, followed by Basic Pilot Rating and Transport Pilot Rating in Arizona and Oklahoma. He was a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School and finished in the top one-third of pilot training class. Flying the C-141 aircraft, Rick served as Captain, Aircraft Commander with the 76th Military Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina from 1971-1974. His duties as Captain also included serving as an Air Search and Rescue Controller with the Joint Rescue Control Center, Nakhon Phanom Air Base, Thailand from 1974-1975. His travels were extensive throughout Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Greenland, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Rick’s responsibilities during his service in the Air Force included control and coordination of medical evacuation missions, in which he assisted in saving the lives of critically ill or injured personnel, civilian and military. He aided in the planning of the evacuation of U.S. personnel from Cambodia. Among his many achievements, he was cited for leadership and professionalism during this career and was upgraded to Aircraft Commander in minimum time, while a First Lieutenant. He also conducted missions in direct support of the President and Vice-President of the United States during their travels and commanded missions in the Israeli Airlift and various NATO exercises.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife, Johnette, their two sons, Christopher (Sharon) and Stuart; one brother, David (Barbara), and two sisters, Lana Josephson (Sandy), and Sally Eddy (Rob). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Rick was predeceased by a son, Spencer, and his parents, George and Magdalene. He enjoyed music and playing his guitars, sailing, golfing, and motocross (in his earlier years). He loved watching Carolina football and was a loyal and avid Gamecock fan to the end.

The family would like to express a very special thank you to the nurses, aids and medical staff of 4th Floor North Tower, Lexington Medical Center, and to the loving staff at Agape Hospice House for their exceptional care of Rick during his illness.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. with funeral services to follow at 12:00 Noon Saturday, July 14, 2018 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Agape Hospice House, 128 Library Hill Lane, Lexington, SC 29072, or to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org

P O Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.