Samuel “Sam” John Jones, 76, Belle, passed away Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at University Hospital in Columbia, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Oct. 20, 1947, to the late Berthold Jerlin “BJ” and Laura Francis (Fleischmann) Jones in St. Louis.
He graduated from Belle High School in 1965, but even prior to graduation, Sam had already begun his journey as an emerging entrepreneur by selling cordwood to purchase his first car.
He was united in marriage to Patricia “Pat” Ann Duke March 3, 1973, in Belle.
Sam grew up hanging around his parent’s feed store in Belle when he was a child, which helped spark his love for all things agriculture. He was driving trucks and tractors when he could barely see over the steering wheel.
Sam was a lifelong entrepreneur and took great pride in the fact that he worked at a hired job just once for only a few weeks. The rest of his life was spent working at his own endeavors, which included trucking, rental and investment property, car sales, and his true passion, farming.
Throughout their marriage, Pat worked side-by-side with Sam in his many endeavors which included riding with him on trucking trips, cattle and hog farming, maintaining rental property and the hay and fescue harvest. Together there wasn’t much they couldn’t accomplish. Sam truly enjoyed working and did so up until the day before he passed away.
He was a natural-born conversationalist who could sit and tell stories and talk for hours visiting over a cup of coffee. Sam enjoyed spending time in local establishments over the years meeting with his coffee buddies.
He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Belle for over 50 years, hardly ever missing a Sunday. Sam served for a number of years on the Belle Fair Board; as a 4-H leader; and a church trustee.
Sam enjoyed classic country and gospel music, watching RFD TV and the PBR, talking on the phone, and entertaining of family and friends with a good meal.
Sam was a father who was full of love, wisdom and lots of funny stories. His grandchildren were truly the light of his life.
Sam is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pat; daughter Amy Muenks and husband Kenneth of Frankenstein, and Abby Gann and husband Jacob of Vienna; grandchildren, Nolan, Marcy and Colin Muenks and Phoebie Gann.
Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 6, at First Baptist Church of Belle. Interment was in Liberty Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to First Baptist Church-Belle, Liberty Cemetery or donor’s choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Funeral Home in St. James.
