Richard Dick Lee Jones

Preceded in death by parents, Oren and Mary Jones; sister, Barbra Goodwin

Survived by wife, Claudia Peterson; son, Mike Jones, Ozark, MO; granddaughter, Noel Jones.

Former vice president and board member of A.A.R.C.

Visitation Tuesday 5-8PM at Crosby Colonial Chapel. Memorial Service Wednesday 11AM at First Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St. Memorials to Aksarben Amateur Radio Club or Nebraska Polio Survivors Association.

Crosby Burket Swanson Golden Colonial Chapel

11902 W. Center Road

Omaha, NE 333-7200.

www.crosby-burket.com

Richard “Dick” Jones was born in Akron, Ohio on September 15, 1946 to the family of Oren Edward Jones, Mary Louise Jones and an older sister, Barbra. At the age of 2, Dick contracted polio. The family moved to Phoenix because of his father's rheumatoid arthritis. His father passed away when Dick was 12 years old.

Dick attended Grandview Grade School and went on to Central High School where he excelled in the industrial arts under the supervision of his friend and mentor, Dick Smith. Dick attended Phoenix College, where he took an automotive upholstery class. Many friends benefited from his upholstery skills, and this also helped subsidize his college expenses.

Dick received his BS degree in Design Technology from Arizona State University in 1970. He enjoyed designing and building many things. These included a telescope, a sail car, and one of the first ATV trikes.

Dick worked at Motorola as a draftsman after graduating from college. He married Roxi Bullock in 1973 and adopted her son, Michael. They were divorced in 1980. Dick moved to San Diego to become a printed circuit board engineer at General Dynamics, Convair Division in 1978. In 1984, he met his future wife, Claudia Peterson, who was writing software to support his work group. In 1985, he left General Dynamics and was employed by the Naval Oceanic Systems Center (now SPAWAR) as a printed circuit board designer in their research group. During this time, his health began to decline, having heart problems and diabetes.

While in San Diego, he earned his technician plus in amateur radio. He acquired a fondness for Mini Coopers and enjoyed restoring and driving them. He became the president of the San Diego Cooper Club.

He married Claudia on April 5, 1997, but was not able to join her in Omaha for another year, where he retired on permanent disability.

Dick and Claudia had a strong bond and spent many happy times together. They especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends at Ginger Cove. They had a deep interest in amateur radio and liked spending time with their fellow hams at the Aksarben Amateur Radio Club. He was twice voted vice-president of the club and was on the board when he passed away. As Mini fanatics, they attended Mini meets and CORN (Coopers of Omaha and Rural Nebraska) events.

Dick never complained about his disabilities, but fought through them and used his mind to find ways to accomplish his goals. After a life-long battle, Dick succumbed to his illnesses on September 30, 2010.

When asked for adjectives to describe Dick, the following come easily: magnanimous, flamboyant, articulate, precise, thoughtful, sensitive, caring, with a wry, mischievous sense of humor.