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On this date: 11/November/2021 Robert "Bob" Jones, as the Christian bible states, was "safely" escorted by angels into the presence of his lord and Saviour Jesus at 3:15 am with son John witnessing his departure.
Shirley affectionately known as squirrel and his Christian friends were there to greet his arrival!
Bob was born #3 of seven children. He grew up in Akron where, as he laughed, "the family moved every time the rent was due". "Just barely" graduating from St Vincent high school, he soon married Shirley Dessecker his wife of 63 years. With a steady paycheck of $62 a week from his first job with the local diaper service he soon had three sons to raise.
Early on, he located his young family to the second story of a tired old house in a tired old neighbourhood at 61 Charlotte St in Akron. Within a few years he earned enough in savings to purchase their first home in Cuyahoga Falls for an astounding price of $14,500. (He later said he wasn't sure if he could actually afford this).
His first gainfully paying employment was with the Prinz Office Equipment Company.
After 7 years where he successfully learned the art of sales, he struck out on his own starting Business Interiors and Equipment, a contract office furniture company.
Known as BIE, the staff would grow to over 50 employees including his three boys. Oldest son Dave stayed at the company for over 30 years guiding the Cleveland location auspiciously through many years.
When BIE had an offer to sell its commercial operations, son Eric spun off Jones Group Interiors which he heads up today.
All along his private life he had a passion for antique cars starting and adding to his collection for the remainder of his life, acquiring more than 80 fine examples from numerous manufacturers. Quite well known at the various antique automobile auctions, he easily made many friends around the United States in part because of his cars.
Throughout the next 50 years he would "finally" consolidate his entire collection to the basement of his business. There he added many items associated to the automotive trade ranging from restored gasoline pumps to service station neon signs to a diarama of a barbershop .
This assembly grew to museum quality status so, by invitation only, he would bring over 1,000 of his closest friends to attend the annual antique auto gathering to showcase his cars and auto memorabilia. His collection even drew a visit from a very impressed Jay Leno. He was personal friends with local politicians and the police and fire departments. Dad never missed an opportunity to get any type of recognition in the newspaper or social events. He would breakout into a smile every time he was accused of being a shameless self promoter!
Without question dad was a great provider and father to his children and to a loving wife. His cars and material things were amazing but as he often reminded people he does not want these things to define his legacy. He made clear how temporary these things were in relation of eternity.
His mortality finally terminated at 87 years, 345 days. He had the assurance of where he would then reside forever. He wasn't shy about sharing the amazing promise of salvation. Just as he wanted to share his earthly treasures with all that he knew, he more so wanted to share heaven and salvation… to all that he knew. Because he was successful and because he was wealthy he did not want to draw attention to those things as a lasting testament of who he was. One of his favorite verses was this: Mark 8:36, King James Version:
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole, entire world, and lose his own soul? This rephrased basically says if a man has all the riches in the world but dies unsaved was it worth it…. Certainly not. He would say the richest man in the world has absolutely nothing without the assurance of salvation. While my father wasn't one just stand on the street corner and preach salvation he didn't miss an opportunity to share this eternal wealth with anyone who would listen. My dad often said that his wealth and car collection gave him a platform to reach those who would otherwise have no interest. He used his cars and wealth as an introduction into the "Plan of Salvation". The genuine legacy to anyone who knows Bob Jones was his foremost desire that friends be acutely aware that he's a Christian and saved by the blood of Christ. Those. were. his. literal. words!
In his last days, even as he struggled to breathe he wanted a promise that the author of his obituary would make clear there is but one way to heaven and he believes this verse says it most clearly,
Romans 10:9-13
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord WILL BE SAVED!
Your final wish has not been denied Bob Jones….. AND….. You are truly resting in peace with Jesus!
The lineage of Bob Jones:
Those deceased: wife Shirley, brother Bill, sisters, Arlene, Janice and Shirley. Parents: Horace and Ethel.
The living: Sons, David, Eric (Bob Kish) John(Lydia). Grand children, Kate (Nate), Sarah (Brandon), Rick, Alex, Hayley (Anton).
There will be no calling hours and private services have been held.
Farewell to you dad, our father and our friend!
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