Clarence Ricky Jones

Clarence Ricky Jones was born August 6th, 1960 in Joliet, IL & gone Too Soon by a
tragic fire on December 10, 2017 in McLeansboro, IL at the young age of 57. Per his
longstanding wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes will be spread down the
mountainside in Tennessee by surviving family in the summer. (You can take the man
out of the mountains, but you can’t take the mountains out of the man.)
To those who knew him best he was Rick/Dad/Freedom Rock; with the exception of his
mother Merle, she was the only one who got away with calling him “Ricky”. He had a
natural born gift for woodworking and spent 30+ years as a master craftsman in custom
cabinetry. His motto was always “Give me a hammer and I’ll fix it!” He was a Strong-
Willed, Hard-Working, Fun-Loving guy with a heart of gold. He preferred to come across
as “gruff and tough”, but he was one of those people that would give you the shirt off of
his back if he thought it would help. He had a boisterous, infectious laugh and a dimpled,
sparkling smile that will Never be forgotten. He had a passion for music of All Kinds that
will live on in his children and grand-children and he enjoyed playing the guitar; whether
it was with his father J.C., his buddies, or even occasionally on his own. “Long Haired
Country Boy” by the Charlie Daniels Band was his fondly and proudly self-proclaimed
“theme song”. He takes with him; and leaves behind, Many Happy memories of
“Jamming Out”, partying, laughing, and loving life with his children and loved ones. He
had an affinity for all things car related-building them up, customizing, racing, donuts,
burnouts, building model cars (even a few with his daughters), collecting classic Hot
Wheels, Nascar/Indy/Drag racing…and he passes on his loyalty to GM to his children.
Tried and true to the “typical male” stereotype, Rick had an eye and appreciation for
beautiful women. Vin Diesel’s line as Dominic Toretto in “Fast & Furious”… “I’m one
of those boys who appreciates a fine body regardless of the make.”… sums it up best. He
loved doing anything outdoors; and spent not only many hours fishing, but just as many
losing expensive lures cutting his daughter’s lines out of lily pads and trees. He may have
mainly preferred solitude, but was happiest in the company of those he loved. There are
still many games of horseshoe, pool, Yahtzee, Uno, Aggravation and Blackjack going on
with music blasting and the sound of him yelling “OOOHHH!!! GOOD TUNE!!! TURN
IT UP!!!” in the background. (Not to mention the free flowing moonshine, whiskey, and
beer that went along with it!) Even though he was a “bachelor in full” and usually
subsisted on mini donuts, popsicles, canned meat, Hot Pockets, microwaveables, and
takeout (can’t forget the blizzards either); he also loved good ‘ol southern cookin’,
stuffed mushrooms, anchovies, cheese, and bacon (“Everything’s better with bacon!”).
His penchant for eating sticks of butter as a child is a long-running, cherished family
story. This adorable quirk endearingly lives on in his three year old grandson (along with
his love of cars and fondness for popsicles and Hot Pockets). Rick was a Good Man with
a Good Heart who loved and cherished his family and friends and did the best he knew
how to for them. He was a stubborn fighter who faced many great obstacles he was able
to overcome; but heart-wrenchingly, this one proved to be his last. He has joined The
Most High God and the family and friends that have gone before him. He is now
mercifully at peace and is healed, made whole, healthy, strong, happy, and well. His
Beautiful soul and spirit are finally truly free; shining eternally bright with the Good
Lord’s light, love, and gracious everlasting glory. Rick/Dad/Freedom Rock will Never be
forgotten and he will be Forever loved by those he leaves behind.
Rick will now be watching over his sister Sue and his brother-in-law Steve Boling
(Knoxville, TN), his Aunt Thelma and his Uncle Jean Boling (Maryville, TN), his
daughter Crystal Jones and her fiancée Joe White (Tinley Park, IL), his daughter Amber,
her husband Alex, his grandson Aaron, and his soon-to-be arriving granddaughter and
grandson Aubree and Austin Lello (Lockport, IL), his cousin Patti Morgan and her son
Ty Morgan (Knoxville, TN), his cousin Sandi Buckner (Maryville, TN), his “brother”
Brad Becker and his wife Crystal (McLeansboro, IL), his longtime love and devoted
mother of his children Karen Jones (Tinley Park, IL), his “sister” Terry McDaniel (Paris,
TN), his niece Beverly Gerencir (Athens, TN), his nephew Jason Allen (Joliet, IL area),
his nephew Derek Allen (Athens, TN), his “brother” Ray Donners (Joliet, IL) and
numerous other cousins and extended family.
He is reunited with his parents J.C. and Merle Jones, sister Faye Carnahan, niece Angie
Tiano, “brother” Kenny Short and other dearly departed.

AFTERGLOW
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

PSALM 23
The Lord is my shepard, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
AMEN.

 Service Information