DUNKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER DON JONES LOSES CANCER FIGHT

KENNETT, Mo. -- Don Jones, presiding commissioner of Dunklin County, has died of cancer.

Jones had been a commissioner since succeeding Billy Horner in 1994.

He previously served as public administrator from 1969-1984.

Jones is survived by his wife, Shirley, son, Rick, and two daughters, Christy Luther and her two children and Marti.

Jones, a native of Kennett, sought the office after retiring as the local Shield of Shelter insurance agent. He was also a licensed real estate broker and maintained that business after retiring from the insurance business.

An avid golfer, Jones also started his own golf club and accessory business, DeeJay Golf at 703 First St. He had always made golf clubs for himself and friends. When he retired from the insurance business, Jones began offering other golf accessory items to go along with his clubs.

Jones was one of the driving forces behind much of the computerization at the county courthouse over the last few years. He was also a driving force behind the county's lawsuit against the Missouri State Tax Commission. In that suit, a joint effort of the county assessor's office and the county commission, Dunklin County contended the state's assessment procedures were incorrect.