T he funeral service for Ronald Jones will be held at 10:30 am Monday, August 26, 2019 at the First Baptist Church, 401 Northeast 2 ^nd Street, Wagoner, OK. Officiating will be the Reverend Mark Pointer. Pallbearers will be John W. Jones, Steve Atchley, Jamie Huggins, Ed James, Lukas Jones, Mark Jones, Chris Neel and Ryan Peace. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Akard, Bill Barnett, Dennis Butler, Roger Drake, J.W. Edwards, Dennis Jones, Terry Jones and Jack Neel.

Interment will be private in Bennett Addition of Elmwood Cemetery in Wagoner, OK.

Family and friends will gather at a visitation on Sunday from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lincoln Enrichment Center Playground, Post Office Box 72, Wagoner, OK 74477.

Ronald Melton Jones was born July 24, 1941 in Wagoner, OK to John Walker Jones and Mabel Bessie (Garrison) Jones. He graduated from Wagoner High School then continued his education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Education at Northeastern State College, now NSU, in Tahlequah, OK. During that time he joined the Oklahoma National Guard and served until 1966.

It was at Tahlequah that Ronald met the love of his life, the former Wanda Kay Neel, whom he married on July 2, 1965. They made their home in the Wagoner area and lived on their ranch for many years. They were active in the First Baptist Church, and Ronald formerly served as Deacon of the church.

Ronald enjoyed playing football and running track and field. In high school and was awarded All State for both sports. Running and walking were activities Ronald enjoyed his entire life.

Wagoner schools were blessed to have Ronald as a teacher for more than 24 years. He began at Maple Park Elementary and then moved to Central where he taught for the rest of his career. His favorite topics to teach were math and history, and his favorite level was fifth grade. He also drove a school bus for many years.

Ron enjoyed collecting coins, glass bottles and bricks. He was interested in anything having to do with the history of Indian Territory. Ronald loved to talk with people and held strong views; his family affectionately call him an "enthusiastic philosopher and debater".

Ronald departed this life Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at his home in Wagoner at the age of 78 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Jones; his parents, Walker and Mabel Jones and an infant sister, Mary Lois Jones.

He is survived by his son, John Walker Jones II and Suzanne of Wagoner, OK; his daughter, Janet Jones of Tulsa, OK; his brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Mary "Suzie" Jones of Wagoner, OK; nephew Wade Jones, niece Susan Jones; other extended family and his friends.