Kermit Jones, 74, of rural Novinger, passed away March 13, 2012 on his farm. The son of Glen H. and Alta E. (Truitt) Jones, he was born August 31, 1937 in rural Adair County, Missouri. He attended Ringo Point Rural School and graduated from Novinger High School in 1955. In October 1956 he married Phyllis C. Garman and to this union five children were born. They divorced in May 1982.

He is survived by a daughter Glenna Daniels Young and husband Danny of Novinger, sons Rusty Jones and wife Janet of LaPlata, Jamie Jones and special friend Lori Cox of Platte City, Randy Jones and wife Twila of Green Castle, and Jody Jones of Kansas City. Nine grandchildren, Chet Daniels, Megan Elkins, Jenrose Malloy, Abby Frerking, April Terranella, Jeremy Jones, Leea Brough, Nathaniel Jones and Alisha Jones survive him, along with two step-grandchildren, Kristy Garcia and Jared Young, sixteen great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren, as well as a sister, Gwen Athon of Kirksville. Also surviving is his companion and dance partner, Dorthey Lewis, her sons and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Donald Athon.

Kermit was a life-long farmer, while also working as a painter and serving 17 years as the student housing manager for the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He retired to his home place living in the house built by his grandparents. The farm was designated by the state as a Century Farm in 2006. Kermit took great enjoyment caring for his livestock and was always busy doing things around the farm.

Kermit’s passion was his family. Each grandchild and great-grandchild was made to feel special. Fishing lessons, along with boat, tractor, pony and ATV rides were among their fun activities. He never missed a birthday, looked forward to hosting the large family Christmases and held annual Easter wiener roasts and egg hunts. Anyone who came was treated as family.

Kermit and Dorthey won several dance competitions at the state fair, were regulars at the VFV dances and had weekly card parties with their friends. He served on the Novinger School Board and as president of the Ringo Point Cemetery. Kermit was a member of the Novinger Baptist Church.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville with Pastors Chet Daniels and Alan Coonfield officiating. Music selections will be Daddy’s Hands performed by Twila Jones and I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You by Alan Jackson. Interment will follow the service at Ringo Point Cemetery in Green Castle.

Visitation with the family will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 16 in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons and grandsons-in-law, Chet Daniels, Jeremy Jones, Nathaniel Jones, Mike Elkins, Chris Malloy, Paul Frerking, Sal Terranella and Travis Brough.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to Ringo Point Cemetery. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.