Dr. John Eric "Ric" Jones

Ric was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on October 31, 1949 to Lewis Albert Jones, Jr and Mary Evelyn Jones (Ruggles). He grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia and Jackson, Mississippi before attending Millsaps College and graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans. He earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and completed his medical training at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

He loved music—ranging from classical orchestral pieces to the classic rock he heard firsthand at Woodstock—and art, often on the hunt for something quirky and interesting. He loved to travel and was always determined to share the best experiences with his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Morgan. Ric remained athletic and active throughout his entire life—an avid runner, he and a group of friends were the first participants to don costumes in the annual Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, SC. Ric always maintained his joie de vivre, never taking himself too seriously, and had a dry, wicked sense of humor. He loved fast cars, single malt scotch, and a good bowtie.

Ric was an accomplished psychiatrist, serving many years in both private practice and in the public service of those with mental illness. The highlight of his career, in which he found joy until the month before his death, was teaching residents as a Professor of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. A recipient of multiple awards from both trainees and his peers, he was a mentor to many and a thoughtful, patient, and kind educator.

Though he refused to let it define or limit his life, Ric resolutely fought a 14-year battle against multiple myeloma, defying all medical expectation by continually beating the odds. While much more brief, he faced colon cancer with the same fortitude. His family gives unending gratitude to Dr. Leland “Mac” McElveen, Dr. Steve Minter, the staff of South Carolina Oncology Associates, the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, and the family and friends who have supported and loved us so well these many years.

Ric is survived by his wife, Sharon Risinger; daughter, Morgan Sims; son-in-law, Alan Sims; mother-in-law, Martha T. Risinger; and sisters, Leslie Kneisel (Ed) and Jill Jones. He was predeceased by his parents, Lewis and Evelyn Jones, and his father-in-law, Herbert Risinger.

The family will receive friends and loved ones at the Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, on Saturday, December 4th from 2-5pm. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Harvest Hope Food Bank of the Midlands, Doctors Without Borders, and the Humane Society of South Carolina.