Robert James Jones

Robert James Jones, known as “Bob” to many of his friends, was born on September 8, 1945, in San Diego, California. Robert passed away on November 5, 2025, in Imperial, Nebraska, surrounded by friends and family.

At a young age, Robert moved to Wauneta, Nebraska, where he attended school and graduated from Wauneta High School with the Class of 1963. Loving to work with his hands and fix things, Bob began apprenticing in middle school with Ivo Pennington, one of the area’s best mechanics. He later purchased Ivo’s business upon his retirement. Robert could fix just about anything—he most recently saved a canister vacuum from the scrap yard.

He cared deeply for his community, a value showcased in his 47 years of service as a volunteer firefighter.

After graduating, Robert married his longtime friend Dorothy Levy in 1970; the couple later divorced. When Bob wasn’t in his shop fixing something, he could often be found putting his gunsmithing skills to good use. He had a unique talent for creating deer mounts, a craft he honed for himself and for others in the community. His artistic flair extended beyond that—he was also known for making drum earrings for friends and loved ones, blending practicality with artistry.

Robert’s love for nature was evident in his hobbies and interests. He cherished the outdoors, particularly fishing for catfish and hunting prairie dogs. Bob was proud to have dispatched more than 44,000 of the rodents throughout his lifetime. He also showed great compassion for animals, which shone through in his creation of turtle slides— devices that allowed wildlife to safely climb out of stock tanks after accidental falls.

Robert is survived by his longtime significant other and hunting partner, Dena Lucas; his sons, Mike (Chris) Jones and Ryan (Angie) Jones; his sister, Susan Jones; grandchildren Jordan, Blake, Bryan and Christian (Rhoni); great-grandchildren Alma, Zowie, Xavier and Terrance; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cheston and Shirley (Williams) Jones, and his grandson, Bryan.

A memorial service in honor of Robert will be held at 11:00 a.m. (MT) on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Wauneta Community Building, 323 North Tecumseh Avenue, Wauneta, Nebraska. Family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate the remarkable life of a man who made a lasting difference in the lives of many.