There is now an empty place at the table in the Jones house. Today we celebrate the life of Ronnie as his birthday approaches. Ronnie Jones will not be forgotten by anyone who knew him. He leaves behind his wife, Sandy (Barnhill) Jones of the home whom he married on December 13, 1975. From that marriage Ronnie has 2 surviving daughters: Lesa (Hatcher) Cuculich (Frankie) of Brashear Missouri , Amanda Jones of Kirksville Missouri , one granddaughter Lydia Grace Roberts of Kirksville Missouri, who stole his heart the moment she was born. He often said, “she is the best thing that ever happened to us”. He was recently heard bragging about how kind she was for shoveling his driveway and how proud he was of her. There is not much he would not do for that beautiful granddaughter, he celebrated every milestone she achieved and will continue to celebrate all her upcoming milestones in Heaven, his love for her was unconditional and he even bought her the first car she owned (little greenie) and taught her how to drive. Ronald Forest Jones (Ronnie) was born April 26, 1952 and then they broke the mold. On March 29, 2021 he entered his final resting place peacefully with his family at his side just as he had wished. Ronnie was born in Pittsburg, California, He was raised by two wonderful parents Virgil F. Jones Jr and Lydia (Speiser) Jones. His father was in the Army for 20 years and he was fortunate to live in many places as they traveled until they made their home in Kirksville, Missouri. Ronnie is preceded in death by both parents and 2 brother -in-laws, Clifford Johnson, and Ron Stewart. He is survived by a sister Sue Johnson of La Plata, Missouri, and a brother Bruce Jones (Julie) from Lincoln Nebraska, three sister-in-laws Donna Moots (Glen) of Hurdland ,Missouri, Vicky Taboada (Joe) of ElPaso, Texas, and Janice Stewart of Kansas City, Missouri, and one brother in law Casey Barnhill (Sandy) of Baring ,Missouri. He is also survived by several , nieces, nephews, cousins, and his amazing work family. Ronnie would tell you he was extremely fortunate to have a job that he loved. The agents that he worked with at The Department of Public Safety (Division of Liquor Control) were his second family and he loved them as so. He worked with them from 1987 to 2010 when he retired. Ronnie worked at the young age of 12 delivering papers and working at Sad Sam’s in High School. As a young adult Ronnie worked at McGraw Edison, Florsheim Shoes and owned The Tobacco Shop off the square in Kirksville, Missouri. He was never afraid to work even in retirement he was mowing yards or finding part time work as a security guard. Ronnie was a family man and his family always came first. He protected them with a fierceness like no other. He was always the problem solver and could be very outspoken, but I think we all know that! Ronnie was a people person and loved to sit at the kitchen table and visit in the mornings with his friend Dave Irvin. The banter back and forth was priceless to listen in on. He enjoyed the simpler things in life like raising chickens, grilling out, making Poppy’s famous popcorn, fishing, hunting, feeding his squirrels and finding mushrooms.... but his heart was melted by his dogs. Sadie and Lilly loved him, and he never made them do without anything. He would often be seen sitting in his chair and talking to his dogs as they sat next to him. Recently he was giving rides on his walker to Sadie as she sat perched on a pillow. His heart was broken by the loss of his fur babies Ziggy and Molly as they were an important part of his life as well. Ronnie will be dearly missed but there are so many memories that live on such as Amanda’s fairy princess stories at bedtime as a kid, Lesa’s first rabbit hunting trip and his daily conversations on the phone with Amanda, Sue, and his precious Granddaughter Lydia. Ronnie always enjoyed Sandy's home cooking and enjoyed helping her garden. Esophageal cancer brought out the fight in Ronnie and he fought hard for himself and his family until the very end. He was so loved by his family and although their lives are changed forever, he left behind instructions for them to love one another and although Sandy cannot find them, he also left in writing everything that she should take care of. He will be remembered for his boisterous opinions, but we all know his bark was always worse than his bite and although his chair is empty now, we all know that his life was very full. It was Ronnie’s request to be H20 cremated, his services with a celebration of life along with his upcoming Birthday in Heaven will be held on Sunday April 18, 2021 from 2pm-5pm at the Kirksville Moose Lodge 2405 E. Illinois St Kirksville, MO. Service will be officiated by Ralph Wheeler and music by Lacey Mihalevich. In lieu of flowers the family ask that you bring a covered dish to help celebrate Ronnie’s life as many of us know Ronnie enjoyed eating till his Esophagus Cancer took that privilege away from him. Special Agent Ronnie Jones 16-32 is signing out for the last time.