Richard Wayne Jones, known to most as Dick Jones, of Custer, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.  Dick was born November 29 ^th , 1941, to Betty Beauchamp (Jones) Thompson and Owen Charles Jones in Lafayette, IN. Dick lived his childhood and school years in Monon Indiana, just south of Chicago and Lake Michigan.  Dick graduated from Monon High School with the class of '59.  He attended Purdue University graduating in 1963 with a BS in psychology.  Dick was commissioned as an officer (2 ^nd Lieutenant) in the United States Air Force the day after he graduated from college. Dick said goodbye to his hometown and home state by moving to Waco, Texas and began his training as an Air Force navigator which led to 21 years of military service.  In 1964, Dick was stationed at Forbes AFB in Topeka, KS.  Over the fields of Kansas, and in the skies across the world, Dick served his country and countrymen. Flying missions around the world putting in over 9000 hours in the workhorse EC-130.  Between 1967 and 1972 that service included flights from US military bases in Taiwan to locations across Vietnam, providing support and transport to our combat forces and allies on the ground.  During that same period the military recognized Richard's competency and made him an instructor of Navigation at Mather AFB in California.  After Dick's time in Vietnam and as an instructor in California he served as an evaluation member of the Inspector General Team (1972-76 Randolph AFB, San Antonio TX).  He helped develop Air Force and Air National Guard policy to assess readiness, discipline and efficiency with a vision to help shape senior leader decisions affecting the readiness of the Air Force. In 1976 Richard took to the skies once again.  He navigated the massive C-5 Galaxy, heavy transport, to bases across the Globe including the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, and the Truk Islands. Richard finished his military career at the rank of Major, from Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City SD, in an EC-135, participating in the Looking Glass operation.  An operation in which an EC-135 Looking Glass aircraft was airborne, 24 hours a day for over 29 years.  During Dick's military career he was recognized for his service with numerous medals and commendations.

Before retirement Dick was active in other career activities. He invested in and "played" the stock market.  He worked for and received an MBA in Business from Golden Gate University, California.  Dick obtained his real estate license in both California and Texas.   Between the years of 1977 thru 2018 he invested in and worked as CFO for his co-owned restaurants, motel, amusement park and a comedy club in Custer and Phoenix, AZ.

Dick was an Athlete. In his early years Dick enjoyed and competed in basketball, football and his favorite, baseball where he found success and satisfaction as his teams' catcher. His participation in high school sports earned him 13 varsity letters. Dick's love of running stayed with him his whole life, over one stretch Dick ran 4-10 miles a day nearly every day for 54 years as well as competing in 3 marathons. Dick loved the water and spent many summers teaching others to ski. He became one of the first to learn how to barefoot ski, a rarity in the '50's.  Dick possessed many talents.  He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, became an expert marksman with the military, competed for a national title with the Purdue drill team, and obtained his pilot's license, all the while instilling a love of sport, skill, persistence and patience to those around him.

Dick cherished his family, home, country, and four legged friends.  Above it all was his family.  In 1963 Dick married his high school sweetheart Sharon Schultz.  Richard and Sharon built and lived a beautiful love story.  Living, loving, and working side by side they raised 4 children, built businesses, traveled, and through example taught others the meaning of true love.

As a "repressed thespian", Dick loved all things theater, especially song, dance, and comedy.  Dick thought himself blessed to be able to live out his 'dreams' through the performances of his talented children and grandchildren.  Dick professed himself an introvert, but he was quietly gregarious.  He was a smart loving man who had a way of engaging people anywhere, making them feel welcome and included.  His wit and sense of humor were his trademarks.  Even in his last days, he brought smiles to faces and gifted friends and strangers alike with laughter.  No matter where Dick was – home, work, or hospital – you heard people say, "You just made my day!".  Dick was genuine and honest, steadfast, always dependable, ready and willing to help someone in need.  Even when Dick disagreed, he would try and see where others were coming from and give them the benefit of respect.  He was a fair man.  Dick's love of humor and zest for life touched all who knew him, and profoundly changed others.

Thankful and blessed to share his life, Dick is survived by his wife, Sharon of Custer; sons,  Brian (Jeriann) Jones (Kajsa, Mara, Tegan) of Woodbury, MN; Scott  (Kathleen Krempley) Jones  (Knikie, Remy) of Issaquah, WA; Russell  (Antonietta Rodriquez) Jones (Zaniel) of Tucson, AZ; daughter, Kyra (Matthew Williams) Jones Williams  (Merrik, Koa) of Tucson; brother, Donald (Claudette) Thompson of Monticello, IN; sister, Betty Lynn Bentlage of West LaFayette, IN; as well as many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 14, 2018, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD.

Memorial services will be held 11:30 a.m., Friday, June 15, 2018, at the Custer Lutheran Fellowship Church in Custer, SD, with Reverend Pam Power officiating.

Military Honors and Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at 2:30 at 25305 Wind Dance Road in Custer;

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Dick's name to www.blackhillsplayhouse.com ; www.theloftstage.org or the Humane Society.

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