Rick L. Jones

Rick Lynn Jones, age 58, of Omaha, Nebraska passed away February 22, 2014. Rick was one of six children of Lola Evelyn (Knop) and Orlo Ray Jones, was born on November 2, 1955 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near Malvern, Iowa and was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Hastings, Iowa. Rick attended school in Malvern and graduated from the Malvern Community High School with the Class of 1974. While in school, Rick was an all-around athlete, excelling in all sports and held records in track and field events. Following school, he attended Stewart's College of Design and has worked as a hairdresser in Omaha, Nebraska for the last 40 years. Rick embraced life, had a great sense of humor and a fun-loving spirit, he cared for others deeply, offering a listening ear and supportive presence, seeking to help wherever he saw a need. During his cancer treatments, to show his support for Relay for Life, he walked 13 miles one evening. Rick was passionate about making peoples lives better. He loved children, and for over 20 years, supported and sponsored Child Fund International, traveling as a missionary to Ethiopia and Nigeria visiting orphans and doing construction work on secondary schools. Rick was involved in the Streams of Life Church in Omaha and their local outreach programs. The church referred to him, as their "angel". In the summer, he would help with the butterfly garden, and at Christmas, he would gather many mittens and hats for children. He supported the Girl Scouts by purchasing boxes of cookies and then giving them to the doctors and nurses. Rick had a flair for interior design and landscaping, and enjoyed decorating both inside and out. He loved using flowers from his garden to make beautiful floral arrangements for his friends. Among his other favorite enjoyments, were listening to gospel music, traveling, and spending time with his mom, Lola, on the farm. Rick died at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Desert, California on February 22, 2014, at the age of 58 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orlo and Lola Jones. Rick is survived by his very good friend, Renee Fulton of Omaha; siblings, Woody (Barb) Jones, Greg (Cheryl) Jones, and Terry Hertz, all of Malvern, Tam (Jim) VanDerVeer of Knoxville, IA and Elaine Jones of Indianola, IA; one niece and eight nephews; extended relatives; and many, many friends. Rick was deeply loved and supported by his faithful clients and hairdresser colleagues and will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him. Celebration of his life will be Sunday March 2, 2014 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. The family will receive friends during the hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.