Ronald Bruce Jones

If you got up early enough on a Saturday morning and drove down to the banks of the Arkansas River in Scranton, Arkansas, you’d likely find a man, standing on the dock in his overalls, casting a line in the river fog. You could call him Ron, Jonesy, Ronald Bruce, Brucey, Ronnie, Dad, Gramps, and most recently, Papaw.

Ronald Bruce Jones was born in Russellville, Arkansas to Herman and Sidola (Davis) Jones on February 11, 1946. Home, for them, began as a small house in the country. A few years later, he became big brother to Jackie Douglas Jones, who lovingly called him “bub,” and the two quickly formed an unbreakable bond. With the new addition, they purchased the homestead on Olive we all know, the green paneled house with a porch across the front; a swing, glass door knobs, and lots of land for the boys to be boys.

Weekdays started with early mornings folding, wrapping, and delivering newspapers as a paperboy. Saturdays meant going to Dola’s parent’s home, Mama and Dado Davis’, to watch cartoons such as Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, or Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. Sundays were spent with the windows open, a breeze blowing through, and a St. Louis Cardinals game on the radio. Family was always close by, the boys constantly spending time with the many cousins who were more like siblings. Bruce was very involved in school activities throughout his youth. He excelled in sports- especially basketball and baseball. Local newspapers recorded him as instrumental in opening up a winning season for the Scranton Rockets his senior year, 1964.

In the fall of 1964, Bruce received a baseball scholarship to pitch for Arkansas Polytechnic College, now Arkansas Tech University, in Russellville. His time there was cut short due to an injury, so he enlisted with the United States Air Force and was certified as a pharmacy technician.

When stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, he was introduced to Maria (Margie) Mendoza through a mutual friend over a game of tennis. This began a relationship that would span a lifetime and they were married in the base chapel on December 14, 1969. After both were honorably discharged, the new couple moved to Scranton and later to Fort Worth, Texas. There Ron began working as a mechanic for his father-in-law, Ray Regan. Shortly after the move, Ron and Margie welcomed their first child, Jennifer Lee Jones on December 28, 1970.

Due to the responsibility of caring for his new family, Ron secured a job with the University of Texas at Arlington as a security guard. The experience and skills he developed here led him to pursue a job with the Hurst Police Department, where he worked for eight years.

The family moved to Hurst in the winter of 1972 and welcomed another daughter, Cynthia (Cyndi) Lynn Mendoza-Jones on May 10, 1973.

The birth of his second child spurred the need for higher education to better care for his growing family. Ron was able to complete a degree with Texas Christian University in Criminal Justice in 1977. Go Horney Toads!

Degree in hand, Ron was hired on to Southwestern Bell Telephone as an installer. After a year, he was promoted to head of security. In this role, he dealt with both state and federal agencies and assisted with wire-taps, call recording, and testified on behalf of the company.

Ron was offered the opportunity to oversee security for the state of Kansas with SWBT and moved his family to Derby, Kansas in 1986. This new position afforded Ron more time to dedicate to his hobbies. He had a passion for gardening, golf, and played on a local softball team. Ron also attended every sporting event his daughters had, and cheered them on no matter what. Excellence in athletics ran in the family, both daughters inherited his love of sports and his innate skill.

He took pleasure in passing on knowledge, teaching his daughters, and later his grandchildren, all the skills they would need to lead a successful and happy life. He taught them how to drive, maintain a vehicle, grow and care for a garden, pick the perfect tomato, and how to carry themselves in society. He taught them how to provide, so they would never be beholden to someone else. Most of all, in everything he did, he showed the love of a father.

Ron and Margie became grandparents to three grandchildren: Tyler in 1991, Alexie in 1993, and Averie in 2001. He treated his grandchildren as if they were his own children, teaching them how to drive, bullshit with the best of them, and that the best time for doughnuts is 6 am. They remember the countless hours spent in his recliner reading, watching football (Go Hogs!), and whistling to the cardinals that came to the backyard. Endless stories (true, false, or hilarious) were told in that beloved chair. He was there for Doughnuts with Dad, plays, concerts, graduations, early morning secret McDonald's runs, “late” night ice cream excursions, and could always be counted on to order case upon case of Peanut Butter Sandwiches when Alexie and Averie were in Girl Scouts. He passed on his love and the joy he had for the small things in life. Respecting nature, family, and tradition were lessons he instilled that will continue to serve us all for the rest of our lives.

Ron retired in 2001 and returned home to Scranton in 2006. He spent his retirement years with the people he met along the way: breakfasts with friends from SWBT, a yearly fishing trip to Minnesota with old Air Force buddies, 5:00 am coffee at Harps with those back home in Scranton, and making sure to spend as much time as he could with the family he cherished. He spent many an hour watching crime shows while singing the "Bad Boys" theme, swapping channels between the Cowboys game and whatever lesser team was playing, or reading his complete collection of Louis L’Amour books.

Never let it be said that Ron had idle hands. He took every opportunity to be outside, creating, or being involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Not only did he spend countless hours in his garden, Ron could be found in the park with his metal detector while the grandkids excitedly dug up his finds, on the dock shooting the breeze with fishing pole in hand, or out in the garage reading the newspaper on the hood of his newest Chevy truck. He was even known to whittle when the mood struck. Neighbors could count on him being in his chair in the driveway, whistling to the birds, for good conversation, or flagging him down while he was mowing the lawn if they needed a hand.

Ronald Bruce Jones passed peacefully November 12, 2022 at the age of 76, surrounded by family in Wichita, Kansas. He will be remembered with his coffee cup in hand and a grin on his face.

He is survived by daughter, Cyndi (Donnie Snyder) Mendoza-Jones; mother of his children, Margie Mendoza-Jones; grandchildren, Tyler (Jessica Frazee) Tanha, Alexie (Blake) Knackstedt, and Averie Mendoza-Jones; great-granddaughter, Marcelina Lanelle Knackstedt; as well as a large and loving extended family and many cherished friends.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Jackie; and daughter, Jennifer Jones.

Ron will be inurned at Stony Point Cemetery in Scranton, Arkansas on November 26, 2022 in a private ceremony. Family and friends are invited to gather at St. Ignatius Hall at 108 Main St. Scranton, AR 7263, from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm.

Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to the Scranton School District, 103 N 10th Street, Scranton, AR 72863.