James Jones

KINMUNDY - James R. Jones, 79, of Kinmundy, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 in rural Kinmundy. He was born December 15, 1941 near Kinmundy, Illinois, to James R. and Nelda Gray Jones. He attended Swift School, a one-room schoolhouse for four years before completing elementary and high school at the Kinmundy-Alma Community School. He received a BS in education from Southern Illinois University and an MS in education from Illinois State University. He enjoyed teaching elementary school for 30 years, mostly in Flanagan and Springfield, IL. He was active in teacher organizations and held positions dealing with labor and salary negotiations. During the early years of his teaching career, he spent most of the summer months traveling extensively. In addition to visiting most US states, including Alaska and Hawaii, he visited several countries in South America, Africa, and Europe. He enjoyed meeting people and learning local customs, bicycling across Canada and back-packing around Great Britain, staying in homes and hotels. After retirement, he returned home to be the primary caregiver for his aging parents and to assist with the farm. His primary interest on the farm was the herd of Hereford and then Angus Cattle. He was pleased to be awarded the Sesquicentennial Farm Award fromthe state of Illinois, for keeping the farmstead within the same family for 150 years and proudly displayed the sign. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and by two sisters, Nina and Lila. He leaves one brother, Don (Hiromi) Jones, of West Lafayette, IN: a nephew, Shawn Berry of Springfield, IL; and three nieces, Lana (Kevin) Stimpert of Dana, IL, Stacy (Shane) McCully of Champaign, IL and Jo Jones of Washington, DC. and several grand nieces and nephews, who will all miss Uncle Jim. Private graveside services will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery, Kinmundy, with Pastor David Kueker officiating, and burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kinmundy-Alma Fire Department. McGriff & Triplett Funeral Home in Kinmundy is entrusted with the care and arrangements.

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