Richard Walker Jones
Published 2:24 pm Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Dick was born in Madison, Wisc., in 1917 and he passed away at age 92 on December 6, 2009 in Columbus. He was a resident of Tryon Estates in Columbus.
Dick grew up in Madison, graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1939 with a degree in journalism, and thats where he met his wife, Marguerite (also a UW alum). He was home on military leave in 1945 when he and Marguerite got married in Madison.
Dick worked in the paper and packaging business starting in 1946. The family lived in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Connecticut with American Can Company He relocated to Japan and Belgium from 1975 to 1978, when he retired to River Hills, S.C. He lived there until moving to Tryon Estates in 1997.
Dick was a big fan of all University of Wisconsin sports, the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.&bsp; Dick volunteered his time to many organizations, among them were the River Hills rescue squad and Habitat for Humanity. He was a lifelong gardener and his beautiful summer flowers were enjoyed by all who saw them.
He is survived by daughters Martha Olafsson (Craig) of Wisconsin and Judy Barrows (Barry) of Massachusetts, son Tom (Pat) of Florida, grandsons Eric Olafsson (Jen) of Wisconsin, Chris Olafsson (Beth) of Minnesota, Andy Olafsson of Wisconsin, Jeff Barrows (Amelia) of North Carolina, and Doug Barrows of New York, five great-grandchildren, sister Sallie Walker Vergeront of Wisconsin, sister-in-law Mary Eleanor Welfare of South Carolina, and brother-in-law Ken Sherman of Arizona. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Marguerite, and brother, Edward.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 626, Tryon, N.C. 28782.