The Excelsior Standard, Sept. 8, 2023

Howard Jones, 87, Richmond, passed away Aug. 24, 2023, at NorthCare Hospice House in North Kansas City. Cremation. A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. Mr. Jones was born March 24, 1936, in North Kansas City to Ira and Bertha (Claxton) Jones. He was one of 12 children from this union. He grew up in the industrial metal and scrap industry, as his family owned and operated Jones Iron and Metal in Kansas City. He worked as a welder there, manufacturing bins that are still in use today.

In addition to working in the family business, he sold art that he would obtain from his friends and associates in Nogales and Tijuana, Mexico. Those beautiful paintings would be brought to his retail space in Phoenix, or he would sell them at busy intersections during the winter to the northerners who were visiting temperate Arizona for their vacations.

During the summer months, he would travel the entire continent of North America, many times driving into Canada and even to Alaska. His most memorable trip took him from Alaska through Canada, down the West Coast of the United States, into Mexico, into Central America and as far into South America as he could go. Literally, the road just ended. In the fall, he would return to the Phoenix area to sell more artwork.

Howard was introduced to his second wife, Carol, by a mutual friend. Their first date included a high-speed dune buggy ride around the hills of North Kansas City, where North Kansas City Hospital now sits.

After being inseparable for three months, they were married. He was knowledgeable about metals, including precious metals, and later in life started collecting and selling gold and silver, and scrap metal as well.

He and Carol spent many winters in South Padre, Texas. Howard would search the beach with his metal detector as Carol would be hunting for shells. In the last 15 years of Howard’s life, he struggled with losing his sight and was proud he was able to travel and have many adventures while he could still see.

Howard will be missed dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents and 10 siblings.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carol (Phillips) Jones; daughters, Shellie Eckert and Sheila Reynolds; stepchildren, Catherine Hurtubise and Ernie Foote; grandchildren, Rachel Eckert, Josh Eckert, Roger L. Hurtubise III and Jeff Foote; great-grandchildren, Elijah and Alexis Foote; and a sister, Gwen Eppenauer of Sedalia.

Arrangements are in care of Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Richmond.

Howard Jones