Robert Jones

Bob Jones was born June 10, 1926, at Havelock, Iowa, to Wallace P. and Florence (Lewis) Jones. The family moved to South Dakota in 1928 and Bob graduated at Frankfort High School in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Enterprise in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After his honorable discharge, Bob attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., where he graduated in 1950.

On August 19, 1950, he married Barbara (Bobbie) Graff at Chester, S.D. A lifetime educator, Bob started teaching for four years at Lester, Iowa. The couple moved to Jasper where Bob taught history and vocal music for 32 years. As a dedicated musician, singer and director, Bob directed several musicals, performed in several plays and was a frequent guest singer at weddings, funerals and special occasions. He served for 40 years as the director of the Trinity Lutheran Church Choir in Jasper.

Later in life, Bob was the director of the “The Blowhards” for many years where he played baritone while Bobbie played clarinet. In recent years, he performed with the vocal quartet “The Frogs,” who identified themselves as “Four Really Old Guys Singing.” He was a member of Jasper Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Bob was proud of his service on the Enterprise and served as Commander and Chaplain of the Oscar Iverson Post 133 of the American Legion. He participated several years ago in one of the Honor Flights, which sent World War II veterans to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Bob Jones’ life was centered on his wife and four children. He enjoyed hunting, playing cards, traveling, visiting friends, playing golf, military histories and supporting the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and the Timberwolves. Last August, Bob and Bobbie Jones celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with family and friends in Jasper.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Jeff (Bronwyn) Jones of Pipestone and Scott (Barb) Jones of Springfield; two daughters, Jo Foster of Tracy and Mary Jones (Richard) of Sioux Falls; one sister, Edith Brandt of Laguna Woods, Calif.; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and six brothers.