Kevin Lionel Jones

Kevin Lionel Jones was born in Oak Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago on May 26, 1945 to George Elmer Jones and Grace Lillian (Miller) Jones. George served in the Army as a Chaplain in WWI. Grace worked in a rifle factory test-firing M1 rifles in WWII. Kevin was the youngest of seven children. Soon after Kevin’s birth they moved to a small farm in Birmingham, Iowa in the SE corner of the state. There the family raised corn, beans, oats, cows, pigs, chickens, and garden vegetables. At that time there was no electricity of running water and the farm implements were horse-drawn. Later they moved into the town of Birmingham. George and Grace worked at a nearby hospital, George as a janitor and Grace as a Nurse aide.

George passed away of a heart attack in 1953, on Christmas Eve. Kevin completed eighth grade in Birmingham, Iowa and was invited to live with his sister Jeanne and her husband Bill Shinn in Kanas City, Missouri to get a better high school education. During his stay in Kansas City he learned how to play the guitar, a joy and passion he carried through the rest of his life. He graduated from North Kanas City High School at age 16 in 1962 and was enlisted into the U.S. Navy at age 17 in 1963. Grace passed of heart disease in 1970.

Kevin was married to Sharon Lee (Brooks) Jones in 1965 and they had two children: Brooke Alesia and Scott Kevin. They were divorced in 1984.

In the Navy, Kevin received training as an Electrician’s Mate and submarine training, along with nuclear propulsion plant training. He served 2 years as an instructor at the nuclear training unit in Idaho. He served 7 months on the USS Bream AGSS 243, and 5 years on the Nathanael Greene SSBN 636. One of the unusual events of Kevin’s naval career was having to give a haircut to Rear Admiral H.G. Rickover. He also earned the Navy Reserve and was advanced to Electrician’s Mate Chief Petty Officer.

Kevin attended Iowa State University from 1972 to 1975 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, graduating with honors in 3 years. Upon graduation he was hired at Fisher Controls in Marshalltown, Iowa, in the Production Engineering Department. In his early years at Fisher Controls, he and several fellow employees attained MBA degrees from Drake University. During his 33 years at Fisher Controls, Kevin as assigned a variety of challenging duties requiring global travel and opportunity to work with great people from around the world.

Kevin was married to Ann Louise (Burkey) Jones in September 1985. They both continued their careers, Kevin in manufacturing at Fisher Controls, and Ann in Family Practice medicine as a Physician’s Assistant and RN/FNP. Kevin retired from Fisher Controls in 2008. During their time together they were avid bicyclist, runners, Christians, travelers, and loved to do community service projects including foster parenting for 10 years and hosting 4 foreign exchange students.

Some of Kevin’s accomplishments he was most proud of included qualifying as Engineering Watch Supervisor on the Greene, 365 days under water, graduating with honors from Iowa State University, earning an MBA from Drake University, getting Ann to agree to marriage, serving as Fisher North Stonington Plant Manager, participating in the Garage Band, completing the Portland marathon in 2002, a successful 33-year career at Fisher Controls, and baptism by immersion with Ann.

Kevin is preceded in death by his parents George and Grace, brothers Fenton Duane Jones, Lester Leroy Jones, sisters Mary Loraine Jones, Grace Ellen Jones, Donna Charlotte (Jones) Kuczek and niece Jody.

He is survived by his wife Ann Louise Jones, daughter Brooke Alesia Jones, and her husband, Marc Lallaman; son Scott Kevin Jones, and his wife Dr. Leslie (Weiss) Jones, sister Jeanne Loueva (Jones) Shinn, and cousin Verna Gwen (Jones) Canaday. Nieces and nephews including Mike Jones, Art Kuczek, Pamela Cabot, Cristine Pfieler, Dan Shinn, Lisa Shinn, Jenny Johnson, and Melinda Yearry.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 8, 2019 at New Hope Christian Church at 10:30, with a public visitation held on Thursday, February 7, at New Hope Christian Church, with the family to greet guests starting at 4:00p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to The ALS Association Iowa Chapter, 3636 Westown Pkwy, Ste. 204, West Des Moines, IA 50266 in Kevin’s name, For condolences please visit www.Mitchellfh.com or call (641)-844-1234. The Mitchell Funeral Home is caring for Kevin and his family.