Col. Robert Jones

Col. Robert Lee Jones, 67, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at his home.

He was born Feb. 10, 1957, to Bobby G. and Wilma Enderle Jones. He and Terry Davidson were married in 1987, and they separated in 2010.

Robert grew up in Cape Girardeau, graduating from Central High School in 1976 and from Tarkio College in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He joined the Missouri National Guard at age 18 and at the same time began a career at Do It Best HWI, working in the warehouse and retiring in 2017. He advanced in the enlisted ranks of the Missouri National Guard for 12 years before attending Officer Candidate School and obtaining his commission as a second lieutenant on June 28, 1987.

Robert retired from the ARNG in 2017 as a colonel, having served for 41 years with deployments to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terrorism and to Honduras in support of Beyond the Horizons-Honduras. Robert’s decorations and badges include Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Two Silver Oak Leaf Clusters; National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with Four Bronze Stars; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal with Bronze Star; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass and M Device; NCO Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral Three; Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon With Numeral Five; Missouri Commendation Ribbon with One Oak Leaf Cluster; Missouri Long Service Ribbon with Gold Hawthorn Cluster; Missouri Iraqi Campaign Ribbon; Missouri Expeditionary Ribbon; Missouri State Emergency Duty Ribbon with Three Stars; Basic Training Ribbon; Louisiana State Emergency Duty Ribbon; Unit Award: Army Meritorious Unit Commendation with One Bronze Oak Leaf; Unit Award: Army Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation; and Unit Award: Governor Unit Commendation with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

Robert was a member of VFW Post No. 3838, American Legion Post No. 63, Eagles Aerie No. 3775 and Elks Lodge No. 639. He was an avid biker and loved life. He was a father, grandfather, brother and friend to all who knew him.

Survivors include his mother, Wilma Jones; son, Staff Sgt. James Jones, and his wife, Kristina of Marthasville; daughter, Bobbie Dilley, and her husband, Master Sgt. Joseph Dilley of Jackson; two brothers, William “Bill” (Kimberly) Jones of Gordonville and Donald “Don” Jones of Cape Girardeau; and sister, Ronda (Harold) Palmer of Jackson. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Lola Elizabeth Jones, Marleigh James Jones and Caitlin Dilley, along with nephews, Taylor, Bryton and Brynnleigh Jones.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, 1st Sgt. Bobby G. Jones.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday, Feb. 24, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

If you are considering a memorial contribution, the family asks it be made to VFW Post No. 3838, Wounded Warrior Project or to the family.

To leave an online condolence, visit www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.