In loving memory of Franklin Jones

10/7/1944 - 9/18/2017

Location: Dayton, Ohio

Visits: 13,821

Franklin J. Jones was born on October 7th 1944 to Lucile (Pauly) and Edgar Jones in Hillsboro Ohio. He died on September 18, 2017 at Miami Valley Hospital after a long and brave fight against type 2 diabetes and heart disease. He is survived by his wife Karen Dale, daughters Evelyn (Mike), Sarah (deceased), Roni, Teresa (Danny), Cheryl (Tony), and Necole (Kyle), grandchildren Benjamin (Stephanie), Carly, Frankie (Beth), James, John, Michael, Paris, Shantel (Terrance),Stephanie, and Whitney(Joseph). Dearest Uncle to Ray Poland. Great Grandfather to many. Dear friends to Sue and Mel, Jackie (deceased) and Gram.
Frank’s father Edgar, who was disabled, had a hard time supporting his family and eventually he and Lucile divorced. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, Lucile lost custody of her family. At the age of nine, Frank was placed in the Ohio Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphans Home in Xenia Ohio where he remained until he was discharged at the age of 18.
The home conducted church services, established a regular school curriculum as well as education in several trades, included a library, and on-site medical facility. The list of trades taught at the home was impressive and included tin smithing; wood carving; knitting; dress making; tailoring; farm, florist, and garden work; butchering and slaughtering; telegraphy, and blacksmithing. The children also enjoyed such extra-curricular activities as choir, orchestra, concert band, military band, drum corps, and athletics.
It was at this home that Frank met lifelong friends Clarence Burdette (Karen), Bobby Cox, and Bob Siedensick (Linda). Frank was an active student at the home, he was involved in many sporting activities and the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC). He won a state championship for shooting and was known to be an excellent marksman.
Frank was married twice in his life. His first wife was Linda, and together they had a beautiful daughter named Teresa (TC). Their marriage did not last however, and eventually Frank and Linda were divorced.
Frank always told Karen that the day they met at the Rocket Bar in Dayton in 1969, the door blew open and a light shined into the bar on a beautiful barmaid who was in a physical argument with a patron. That woman was to become the love of his life, Karen. Together they would spend over 47 years together.
In an attempt to convince Karen that he could afford to marry her, he pursued an internship with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 18 (OE18). Frank’s new union status was enough to convince Karen to become his wife, and they were married at the Mayor’s Court in West Carrollton Ohio on December 19th 1970.
Frank didn’t just marry Karen on that fateful day in 1970, he also married Karen’s daughters Sally, Evelyn, Roni, and Cheryl. He still remained close to his daughter Teresa, who often spent time with Karen and the girls. When asked what life was like living in a home with all those women, Frank would joke and say that he “lived through it” surrounded by pantyhose and Kotex. On April 12th 1974 one more girl joined the group when Necole was born, making the family complete.
“I always knew how much he loved me all the time, I always knew that,” said Necole, “He was my person.” Others remember Frank for “telling it like it is,” and an unusual fondness for biscuits and gravy.
Frank was a big auto racing fan, and tried to be a race car driver himself. He drove the #88 car at the Kil-Kare Raceway, and was big Tony Stewart fan. Frank also enjoyed softball, bowling, four-wheeling, and the occasional horseback ride with his family.
Frank spent 28 years working as a Heavy Equipment Operator at Koker Drilling Company in Dayton Ohio. He retired early due to failing eyesight, caused by type 2 diabetes, a disease which also affected his heart. To spite his health challenges, he and Karen enjoyed an active retirement. For nearly two decades, they were “snowbirds” fleeing the Ohio winters to enjoy life in a retirement community in St. Petersburg Florida. They made many friends during those years, and enjoyed time on the beach, shopping, Frank in particular liked to go fishing.
Frank and Karen loved to travel together, and they visited Hawaii, Wales, the Caribbean, and Belize – to name a few – but always returned to their Dayton Ohio home to be with their children and grandchildren.
At the end of life, what really matters is not what we bought but what we built; not our success, but our significance. Frank Jones built a family that loved and cared for each other. He stood up for things he believed in (rather loudly at times) and he lived a life of love, a life that matters, a life of significance.
Rest in Peace Frank, we will miss you!