Richard Lee Jones

Richard Lee Jones, the son of Richard Jones and Doris Dawson, was born December 29, 1969, in Des Moines, Iowa. Richard departed from this world on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at Methodist Hospital Des Moines, Iowa.

Richard was a man of many traits. From the young age of nine, Richard’s love for hunting and fishing became strong. Richard, his father, brother, and cousins spent many years alongside of the Des Moines River camping and fishing. They spent so much time along the river, he and his brother knew to bathe in smaller waters like puddles along the river. He began hunting at the same age and continued to hunt until around 2007. At age of ten, Richard began training and boxing. Although it was a short career until the age of fourteen, he still enjoyed it and spoke of it very often. He loved Friday night fights on TV. His oldest son, Jeff was one of his favorite people to share Friday night fights with. Richard’s father was also a boxer and both of his younger sons, Michael and Steve, trained at one point with the East Side Boxing Club. Richard wasn’t always a perfect person but in 1998, after just two years of sobriety, Richard became a full time single father. Richard gained custody of his three youngest children and found his true purpose in this world - being the best father he could be. After gaining custody of his children, Michael, Steven and Danielle, he moved to southern Iowa where he raised them. It was not too long after being in southern Iowa Richard found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The church helped him develop positive friendships for himself and his children. Richard became an official member in 2006, when he was baptized. In late 2007, Richard’s long career of 31 years came to an end after being diagnosed with cancer of his throat. Richard remained strong and fought the cancer very hard and won. Richard’s life was well lived. As well as his life was lived, he also endured much pain along the way but he always managed to push his way through. He’d fall and get right back up again. He did his best to remain positive and to teach his children that no matter what life throws at you, you will survive. Keep going, keep pushing, and whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE UP! “Just quit being a crybaby,” he loved to say. Richard’s strength will continue to live on through his children. They will forever carry the strength of their father through them as they are raising his 12 grandchildren. Richard loved being a Papa and it’s what really kept him going the last seven years while he was learning to be him again after healing from the death of his second oldest son.

Ricard was preceded in death by his parents; son, Michael Richard Lee Jones; Betty Snyder; and two grandchildren, Kase and Avrie.

Survivors include his brother, Roger (Tammy) Jones; sisters, Margie Jones and Charlene Ramirez; three sons, Jeff (Natalie) Jones of Osceola, Iowa, Matt (Stephanie) Hopkins of Jefferson, Iowa, Steven (Hayley) Jones of Des Moines, Iowa; two daughters, Ashley Bryant of Jefferson, Iowa, Danielle (Salomon) Jose of Grinnell, Iowa; and twelve grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2021 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2101 Evergreen Avenue, Des Moines, and will conclude with burial at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Richard.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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