Dallas E. Jones, 79, passed from this world on Friday September 15, 2023, in his home with his wife and mother-in-law by his side. He fought courageously for six months before his body succumbed to ALS.
Dallas was the first child born on a cold and snowy day on February 25, 1944. His father was serving in WWll in the Railway Operations Battalion in France so it was some time before he met his son.
Dallas and his mother lived in Belle Center above the Post Office at that time. Upon the reuniting of the family, they moved to a farm south of Bellefontaine. This is where the adventures began for a mischievous, imaginative, and independent Dallas. His stories of growing up on the farm and lessons learned were endless. Dallas learned he couldn’t fly off the “little house out back” with a blanket tied to his wrists or jump out of the hay loft onto the back of his trusted horse Duchess.
As he grew into a hard-working young man, he was protective of his younger sister who was totally trusting of him. He would use his bullwhip to snap a short stick out of her mouth without her ever flinching. Dallas’ little brother often tagged along while chores were done and on walks to the woods.
Dallas attended Iron City school where he met his lifelong “brother” Joe Jackson. They enjoyed years of playing ball against the city boys, riding horses in their 4-H club, and eating at each other’s homes after a day’s activity on the family farms.
High school included being a member of Carmen Wefans his junior and senior years and performing in the annual musicals. He went on to sing in the choirs at church. Dallas graduated from BHS in the Class of ’62. This class has remained very close through the years. After graduation Dallas started his working years as a machinist at Liberty Machine Co. in West Liberty.
In March of 1965, he joined the Army National Guard and served for 6 years. He was honorably discharged in March of 1971 Sgt. E5, Co C (DetC) 166th Infantry. He was a Military Specialist Team Leader Rifle. He mastered Expert Rifle M14 and Sharpshooter Rifle M1 and earned Expert badge with Rifle Bar. That was a controversial time in US history. He served at the Ohio State Prison Riot, OSU campus Riots and was called out many other times during his 6 years of service.
He worked in management for H.K. Porter company, now HBD Industries, for several years before finding his true vocation in horticulture. He retired from Adriel School in West Liberty after 15 years in the Maintenance Dept. as grounds keeper and landscaper. He said, “It is the best job I’ve ever had.” Dallas enjoyed being outdoors in nature. He was a hunter of deer and a fisherman with his dear friend Ernie Parks.
He was a friend to everyone he met. Dallas was a Godly man who accepted Christ in his life at the age of 7. Dallas was a country boy through & through. He enjoyed the simple things in life. He didn’t need fancy things or accolades to be happy.
From an early age he started collecting knives. Collecting them, using them, and sharpening them. His daughters remember him cleaning them when a new boyfriend would come calling. A particularly fond memory of the girls is the day they took him to have his ear pierced for his 50th birthday. They treasure the memory of how their dad would travel as far as needed to make sure he picked them up on his weekends after having little or no sleep.
Dallas met his wife Kit while putting new landscaping in at her parents’ home. She was immediately attracted to his work attire of ankle high boots, shorts, t-shirt, and a red bandana rolled & tied around his forehead. Maybe it was what the attire revealed that was the attraction. They soon began taking walks, sharing talks on the porch swing, meeting each other’s friends, and attending First Christian Church’s Homebuilders Sunday school class together as a couple.
They joined in marriage on May 11th, 1990, at the home of friends. An outdoor service was attended by family and close friends as they started their life together in Bellefontaine. The union brought together not just two people but two families.
After Kit retired in 2019 the couple moved to Henderson, N.C., to enjoy a more temperate climate. They planned to travel and visit family and friends while seeing more of nature’s beauty. Dallas and Kit have enjoyed and rejoiced in the 33 years of marriage they have shared. Dallas was a loving and devoted husband with a smile as big as the moon, a love for his family and a strong faith in God.
Two of Kit and Dallas’ favorite quotes were … “It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell.” Walt Disney, and “Family is everything. It was a warm blanket on a cold day, a safety net when you fell, a chorus of support when you attempted something hard.” Sarah Morgan – “The Christmas Sisters”. Dallas was predeceased by his parents Daniel E. and Dahlia (McClurg) Jones; brother Mark A. Jones; father-in-law Floyd Kinney; and brother-in-law John Aldo.
Dallas’ loving wife, Kitrina (Kit) Kinney Jones survives in Henderson, NC along with his cat Simon. He is also survived by his daughters, Melissa Flager (Scott) and Teresa Alexander (Lance): his grandchildren, Krista Vahala (Bob), Jeff Rutledge, Derek Alexander, Brooke Armour (Bryan); his great granddaughters Bristol and Blake Armour; and his stepchildren, John Stout, Marna Costlow, and Tom Stout. Also surviving are his sister Maggie Robinson, his beloved mother-in-law, Julia Kinney; and sisters-in-laws, Becky Jones, Cathleen (Don) Phipps, KimberLee (Tom Reynolds) Kinney, and Kristine (Phil) Marker.
He has many nieces and nephews that have always been special to him. A special thank you to all the family and friends for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult transition, for the care and compassion shown by the staff of Gentiva Hospice, to Ginger and TaLeah for the sunshine and joy you brought Dallas.
At his request, his body was cremated, and a Celebration of Life party will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 11, at Honey Birch Farm, 550 Township Road 30 E., West Liberty , OH 43357 www.honeybirch.farm . We will be gathering to share some of our favorite memories, our stories, to laugh and to remember a wonderful person who is greatly missed. Attire is casual for this open house event.
Memorial contributions be made to; His Hands Extended Sanctuary/ Clinic 1560 Dialton Rd. St. Paris, OH or https://hhesclinic.wixsite.com/animal-sanctuary .
