Richard A. Jones, retired Indian River custodian

Richard A. Jones, 66, of Dagsboro, passed away unexpectedly on his father-in-law’s farm Monday, March 10, 2025. He was a loving husband, dad, pop pop, brother, and friend.

Affectionally known as “Smoke” since high school, he was born to the late Edward and Millie (Hudson) Jones of Millsboro. Smoke graduated from Sussex Central High School in 1976. He also studied carpentry at Vo-Tech. After high school, Smoke married his high school sweetheart, Donna, in 1978. He started his career as an apprentice carpenter and then went on to drive a dump truck for Delmarva Power. Then, he joined his dad and brother-in-law, Mike, at Thoro-Good’s Concrete, driving a concrete mixer truck, where he made many friendships. In 1986, he joined Indian River School District as a custodian. He worked at several schools during his 34-year tenure, with his last 10 years spent as chief custodian at Millsboro Middle School, where he was loved and cherished by staff and students. Retiring in 2020 allowed him to provide guidance, support, and lots of laughs to his girls and grandkids.

Smoke enjoyed trips with his family and friends to many different dirt tracks, the Outer Banks, N.C., and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. He had a love for dirt track racing, hunting, fishing, and going to Wilson’s Auction. He was an avid Harry Gant fan, attending many NASCAR races in Dover with his brother-in-law, JL Hummer. He had a passion for the Washington Redskins and Donald Trump. Smoke was a member of the National Rifle Association and Delaware Mobile Surf-Fisherman. Above all, he lived for his grandkids, loving, supporting, and encouraging them every day.

Smoke is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Donna Hitchens Jones; his two daughters, Kristina (Jones) Messick and her husband GG, and Jessica (Jones) Steele and her husband John; his three wonderful grandkids, Delana Messick, Dakota Dunston and Colton Simpson; a sister, Gail and her husband Michael Morris; brother, Dean and his wife Lesia; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 23, at the Frankford Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 41 Thatcher St., Frankford, where friends and family may call after noon. Interment will follow at Carey’s Cemetery. Millsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Smoke’s name to a local volunteer fire company or ambulance service.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.