Ray & Helen Jones

Ray attended Wichita State University where he earned a degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering and was a member of the fraternity Beta Theta Pi. His education was interrupted when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for two years during the Korean War. While there, he earned his wings as a Naval Navigator and was awarded an honorable discharge at the end of his service. On his return, Ray completed his degree at WSU while married, working full time and having a newborn in the house.

On September 2, 1956 Ray and Helen Marie Rhodes were united in marriage and spent 52 wonderful years together until Helen passed away in 2008. Shortly after Ray graduated, he was hired by Beech Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. His next employment was with Allegheny Ballistic Laboratory in West Virginia where he worked on the design of the Polaris Missile that furthered his specialty as a pressure specialist. He was finally hired by Boeing where he stayed for the remainder of his employment and had an esteemed career. Boeing took Ray and his family to New Orleans, Seattle, Huntsville and back to Wichita. While in New Orleans, Ray worked with the famous artist Blaine Kern on one of his elaborate Mardi Gras floats. Ray, Helen, Steve and Cheryl participated as Mardi Gras Royalty that year. The highlight of Ray’s career was his work on Apollo 11 and specifically Saturn V and the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). This was developed at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Some say Saturn V is one of humanity's most impressive and important technological achievements. He finished his career with Boeing in Wichita where he was working on the design of the storage compartments for the U.S. Space Station.

Ray loved his family and took them on many adventures over the years as he was an avid outdoorsman. His favorite past time was fishing. He loved his fly fishing trips in Montana most. He also dearly loved his best friend and bird dog, Boomer. He was also a talented and witty poet.

After Helen’s passing in 2008, Ray reached out to Georgia E. (Houk) Hazel for companionship, later marrying on August 25, 2012, in Warrensburg, Missouri. He remained active all through his later years enjoying hosting parties and being with friends and never letting age slow him down. Ray was also proud to be a life member of Clinton VFW Post 1894.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen, one brother Dean Jones and a sister Doris Rowe.

Helen Marie Jones was born near Girard, Kansas January 28, 1934 to John and Allie Rhodes. She passed away at her home in Clinton, Missouri April 9, 2008 after a long illness at 74 years of age.

Helen lived her early years in the area around Pittsburg, Kansas. She attended her first three years of high school in Nevada, Missouri and completed her senior year in Appleton City, Missouri.

Helen Married Ray Jones September 2, 1956 in the Christian church in Appleton City. They had three children, Steven Ray, Cheryl Ann and Shannon Lea. They have five grandchildren, Kristin, Austin, Trevor, Tanner and Reese.

Helen loved and lived for her children and grandchildren. She always said, “I just want to be a good person,” and she was. She loved the Lord with all her heart and being. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Clinton, Missouri where she and Ray lived for twelve years.

The Lord blessed her with considerable artistic talents. She could do landscape, portrait, toll and ceramic painting, and has left us with many fond memories in her art and carvings.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Rhodes, her mother, Allie (Gates) Rhodes, and a sister, Betty, who passed away a year before Helen was born.

Their legacy was one of love and family to include children, Steven Ray Jones, Cheryl Ann Near (Phil), Shannon Lea Bates (Randy); his grandchildren: Kristin, Austin, Trevor, Tanner, and Reese; and four great-grandchildren.