Raymond O.W. Jones Jr.'s Obituary
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Raymond O.W. Jones Jr, age 75, who passed away at his home in Fayetteville Arkansas on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Raymond was born on September 3, 1947, in Robstown, Texas. He was the son of Raymond Obed Walter Jones Sr. and Etah E. Crawford Jones.
Raymond was a fearless young man who grew up on the beaches of Corpus Christi and Padre Island. Raymond even worked for a carnival company traveling across Texas and the southwest. This sense of adventure led him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps in 1964, following in his fathers’ footsteps. He served in Vietnam as an Infantryman, and as a Training Non-commissioned Officer for Jungle Warfare Training in Okinawa, Japan after his tour in Vietnam. Earning an Honorable discharge as a Sergeant 1970, Raymond was awarded the following medals: National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal w/ 1*; Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ Device; Good Conduct Medal; Marksmanship Badge – Rifle; Marksmanship Badge – Pistol.
Raymond’s adventures didn’t end with the Marine Corps, that was only the seed. He served as a Federal Firefighter at Point Mugu California, worked at the Standard Fruit and Steam Ship Company as a banana inspector and on to opening his first jewelry store, the California Gold, in Long Beach, California. Eventually, taking his custom jewelry craft on the road and traveled across the United States – coast to coast. He made many friends along the way and those friendships continued throughout his lifetime. Before settling down, he and his longtime friend Earl White Jr. opened a jewelry store in Newton, Kansas, The Hindquarters. In 1971, Fayetteville became his permanent home, and he opened Abaft Jewelers.
Mr. Jones was a custom jeweler who owned and operated Abaft aka Jones Jewelry on Dickson Street in Fayetteville, AR for over 25 years. He was personable and creative. He eventually returned to federal service as a cook at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fayetteville Arkansas. While working at the V.A. he held several positions and was loved by all who crossed his path. Raymond loved helping Veterans and eventually retired from the VA. During this same time period he was active with American Legion Post 27, and the Washington County Search & Rescue Organization.
Despite all of his experience, the motorcycle adventures, and personal obligations, he would tell you he valued being a proud father to his sons, Eric Bonetti Jones and Solomon Jones. There was nothing in this world that brought him more love and joy than those two boys and the family that they provided him with, the family he had always wanted.
Raymond was strong willed, had an enormous heart and the most wonderful sense of humor. He was generous, loyal, brave and truly loved by all who had the pleasure of crossing his path. He was full of knowledge gained through all of his life experiences, and will be missed by all who came to know him.
Raymond is survived by his sister, Cyndi Krueger; children Eric Bonetti Jones and Nicki Jones, Charles Raymond Solomon Jones; Grandchildren Alexis and John Lane, and Jasmine Jones; Great Grandchildren Dallas Rio and Ashton Lane, and Adriel and Gianna Serrano.
Services on Tuesday May 30 will be held at 12:30 Moore’s Chapel Funeral Home, 206 W Center St. with internment at 1:30 PM, Fayetteville National Cemetery, 1000 S Lt. Colonel Leroy Pond Ave. Condolences may be given online at www.bernafuneralhomes.com
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