Obituary for Richard Taylor Jones
Richard Taylor Jones, age 77 of Chesapeake, VA passed away Monday, April 1, 2024 at his home.
Richard (aka Grumpy) was born October 27, 1946, in Bremo Bluff, VA to parents Thomas Jerry Jones (d.1966) and Dorothy Bryant Jones (d.1964). Richard grew up outside of Charlottesville, VA and attended Charlottesville High School until 1966.
In November 1966, he was drafted to and served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. In 1967 Richard was stationed on the destroyer USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752), most notably during what was known as “Operation Sea Dragon.” He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and was honorably discharged in 1972.
Richard was never without friends, and enjoyed time with them at the harbor, hanging at the bar, grilling up some spare ribs or just cutting their grass. He loved a beautifully manicured lawn and spent hours cutting it to perfection! Spending his post-service life in Chesapeake, VA, he also was a past-member of the South Norfolk Ruritans.
A fan of country music, you would often hear him playing the likes of George Jones, Conway Twitty, Kenny Rogers and Alabama. And, you would rarely see him missing a NASCAR race on Sundays, cheering on the great Ricky Rudd, and more recently the Hendrick Racing Team.
Serving the City of Chesapeake, Richard was a proud member of the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, working as a deputy starting in 1987. In November 1992 he was honored by the city for his heroic chase and capture of the perpetrators in a bank robbery, earning him a full page spotlight in the Virginian-Pilot, Deputy of the Year…and the awe of his children. Richard retired from the department and full-time work in 2007.
Richard is survived by children, Richard “Heath” Jones (Jennifer), and Amy D Jones; grandchildren Tori Smith (Cord), Alyssa Herring (Tommy), Joshua Jones, Jacob Jones, and Jace Johnson; great-grandchildren Nykiera, Christopher, Myah, Carter, Delilah and Camdyn. He departed before his beloved twin sister Agnes Jones Davis (Clarence), and brothers Allan Jones (Alice) and Donald Jones (Pauline).
Heath and Amy want to extend their unending thanks to the community of friends and family that have surrounded them during this time. We also want to extend a special thanks to the staff of Suncrest Hospice, most especially one of Richard’s lead advocates throughout the last few years, Kate Hawryluk.
Visitation will be held at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, VA 23320 on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 6-8pm. Richard will be laid to rest at Albert G. Horton Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com if you wish to leave a condolence to the family.
Richard (aka Grumpy) was born October 27, 1946, in Bremo Bluff, VA to parents Thomas Jerry Jones (d.1966) and Dorothy Bryant Jones (d.1964). Richard grew up outside of Charlottesville, VA and attended Charlottesville High School until 1966.
In November 1966, he was drafted to and served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. In 1967 Richard was stationed on the destroyer USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752), most notably during what was known as “Operation Sea Dragon.” He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and was honorably discharged in 1972.
Richard was never without friends, and enjoyed time with them at the harbor, hanging at the bar, grilling up some spare ribs or just cutting their grass. He loved a beautifully manicured lawn and spent hours cutting it to perfection! Spending his post-service life in Chesapeake, VA, he also was a past-member of the South Norfolk Ruritans.
A fan of country music, you would often hear him playing the likes of George Jones, Conway Twitty, Kenny Rogers and Alabama. And, you would rarely see him missing a NASCAR race on Sundays, cheering on the great Ricky Rudd, and more recently the Hendrick Racing Team.
Serving the City of Chesapeake, Richard was a proud member of the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, working as a deputy starting in 1987. In November 1992 he was honored by the city for his heroic chase and capture of the perpetrators in a bank robbery, earning him a full page spotlight in the Virginian-Pilot, Deputy of the Year…and the awe of his children. Richard retired from the department and full-time work in 2007.
Richard is survived by children, Richard “Heath” Jones (Jennifer), and Amy D Jones; grandchildren Tori Smith (Cord), Alyssa Herring (Tommy), Joshua Jones, Jacob Jones, and Jace Johnson; great-grandchildren Nykiera, Christopher, Myah, Carter, Delilah and Camdyn. He departed before his beloved twin sister Agnes Jones Davis (Clarence), and brothers Allan Jones (Alice) and Donald Jones (Pauline).
Heath and Amy want to extend their unending thanks to the community of friends and family that have surrounded them during this time. We also want to extend a special thanks to the staff of Suncrest Hospice, most especially one of Richard’s lead advocates throughout the last few years, Kate Hawryluk.
Visitation will be held at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake, VA 23320 on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 6-8pm. Richard will be laid to rest at Albert G. Horton Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com if you wish to leave a condolence to the family.