Chris Alan Jones' Obituary
Chris Alan Jones, 58, passed away on Monday, June 9, 2025 at his home, just four short months after being diagnosed with liver cancer.
Chris was born on February 6, 1967 to Donnie Merle Jones, Sr. and Karen (Sebben) Jones, joining brothers Merle and Michael to complete the family. Growing up Chris spent countless hours camping and boating at Rathbun Lake with his cousins, as well as getting into mischief with his best friend Robbie Joiner. When Chris and Robbie were around six they were at the ball diamond in Plano and thought it would be a fantastic idea to hide from their parents, climbing into a large box they had found. They stayed there all day, giggling every time they heard their names being called. Little did they know that the whole town of Plano was out searching for them. Eventually the boys were found and, while their parents were relieved that they were safe, it wasn't long before the buddies were no longer giggling! It's easy to see why Chris always said his favorite memories from childhood involved his best friend Robbie or his favorite cousin, Cheryl.
Chris became an uncle at age 12 and couldn't get enough of playing with his nieces; he was the epitome of the Fun Uncle before "funcle" was even a word. As he grew into a teen Chris loved the music of Bruce Springsteen and attended one of The Boss's concerts with Robbie, Merle, and his cousin Timmy. The four had to wait hours to get in, but it ended up being the best concert he ever https://saw.In high school Chris was the ace pitcher of the Warriors baseball team, thanks in part to the quirky habit he had of moving the bill of his cap between every pitch. After graduating from Seymour High School in 1985, Chris attended Indian Hills studying in the building and trades program. He then joined his dad in the rock truck business. Chris was a dedicated trucker spending many hours hauling rock across southern Iowa and northern Missouri; between he and his dad there was rarely a day that a Jones truck wasn't the first in line at the quarry.
Chris got the gift of gab from his mother. Like her, he loved to talk and he would do it all day every day. Chris loved chatting with people and truly never met a stranger; if he called you his friend, he considered you one for life. He was the life of any party and a topnotch host with amazing grilling/smoking skills. Chris was known for hosting the most spectacular 4th of July fireworks show in all of Wayne and the surrounding counties, made even better by the fact that he often gave the disclaimer that you were watching at your own risk (and sometimes you really were).
In 2018 Chris met the woman he would spend the rest of his life with, Sheila Davis. What started as a friendship, with Chris secretly clearing the snow off her car windows so she wouldn't have to do it after she got off work, grew into the love of a lifetime. The pair shared a passion for living life and looked forward to continued adventures together in the years ahead, be that seeing their beloved Cardinals playing in St. Louis or watching a NASCAR race. Chris was a season ticket holder at Kansas Speedway and attended every race held there since its opening in 2001. The first time he invited Sheila to attend she was less than thrilled about going, even trying to get someone else to go in her place. However, what started as reluctance ended up being something the couple looked forward to doing together.
Chris enjoyed bowling and golfing, but his most loved pastime was hunting - pheasant hunting with his favorite dog Champ as well as deer hunting. Chris liked passing down his knowledge to the younger guys in their hunting group, always ready with a tip, a story, or a laugh. At Deer Camp he was known as the "Deer Commander" - a title he proudly took on after his Uncle Dale passed away and one which will now pass to his son, Jalen.
Above all, Chris adored being "Pappy" to Thielen, Rafe, and Kollyns and was looking forward to his daughter, Jacey, adding another baby to the mix in the fall.
Left to treasure memories of Chris is his fiancée Sheila, son Jalen (Emma Griffin) Jones, daughter Jacey (Justin) Spurgeon, grandsons Thielen and Rafe Spurgeon, Sheila's children: Branygon (Ryan) Kirsch, CD (Ally) Kunzie, Lane Kunzie, and granddaughter Kollyns Kirsch, and brother Mike (Sandy) Jones, as well as his nieces and nephews and their families: Nicole Klaver, Chase (Megan) Jones, Chance (Emma) Jones, Alicia (Brett) Babington, and Kalea Jones.
Greeting Chris in Heaven and awaiting the first fireworks show ever seen there were his parents Donnie & Karen, oldest brother Merle, and niece Michelle Jones.
Funeral services for Chris will be held at 10:00AM, Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Bessie's Barn, 15927 Highway 2, Centerville, Iowa. Burial will follow the service at Crossroads Cemetery in Plano. Visitation will take place Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Bessie's Barn, from 2:00PM-7:00PM, with the family greeting friends from 5:00-7:00PM. Memorials have been established to the Chris Jones Memorial, dedicated to the Rathbun Area Pheasant's Forever, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Jones Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at https://www.thomasfh.com or https://www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
To view the livestream of the services for Chris, click the link below or visit: https://my.gather.app/remember/chris-jones-2025
What’s your fondest memory of Chris?
What’s a lesson you learned from Chris?
Share a story where Chris' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Chris you’ll never forget.
How did Chris make you smile?