Richard Allen Jones

Richard A. Jones, 79, of Ogden, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Stratford Specialty Care in Stratford, Iowa.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden is serving the family.

Richard Allen Jones, son of Emmett and Goldie (Thompson) Jones was born on February 12, 1946, in Boone, Iowa. He graduated from Ogden High School with the class of 1960. He then attended Iowa State University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree.

Richard liked to reminisce about life on the farm. From shearing sheep in South Dakota, helping the neighbors here in Iowa, and watching his mom Goldie make a meal with whatever was on hand.

He was a proud U.S. Army Veteran who served in Vietnam. He kept his war-time experiences to himself but would tell stories about his day to day life overseas with his fellow soldiers, his leave in Japan as well as swimming in the ocean for the first time.

Richard was a graduate of Iowa State University where he also worked as a mail carrier until his retirement. His favorite things about being on ISU’s campus was being surrounded by the students and their “vibes” as well as how each building housed an infinite amount of information for so many disciplines and fields.

He had tons of stories to tell about his daughter Tari. One of his favorites being the time… at 5 years old, she got in our go-cart for the first time and took off down the driveway, on to the street, and was gone. He looked at his son Tony and said, “I should have seen that one coming!” We then got in his truck to track her down. “Don’t tell your mom” he said as the search began.

His son Tony, will forever remember his freshman year of college, when Richard would attend his away football games, sit on the visitor’s side all by himself, so Tony would know he was there in the stands.

Richard was proud of his siblings, even if he didn’t say it. He was in awe of his sister Myra’s ability to navigate social situations. He and his sister Carolyn shared a love of music and could both dance like it was nobody’s business. He was so proud of his sister Pati, a nurse, he mentioned her often while at medical appointments. He talked about his brother Bob, watching him grow from a boy to a man and how good of a father he was. Lisa, he loved you for putting up with Bob! He loved his nieces and nephews as well and would brag about them to anyone who would listen. Richard spoke often of having homemade chili with his siblings that was made from Colorado Elk and Iowa Deer.

He enjoyed tinkering in his garage. He was very curious and loved learning new things. He liked being outdoors and truly respected nature. He took time to enjoy the little things. He was funny, intelligent, and lived life on his own terms. He will be missed by his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Richard was also preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Jones; and his niece, Brenda Shadle.

Survivors include his son, Tony Jones of Johnston, IA; daughter, Tari (Marshall) Baker of Parker, CO; two sisters, Myra Shadle and Pati Bartholomew both of Boone, IA; and his brother, Bob (Lisa) Jones of Ankeny, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be given to Wounded Warriors or Fur Fun Rescue in Memory of Richard Jones.