Dick Jones, 71 of Sterling, passed away Tues., June 28, 2016 at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood. Visitation will be Sun., July 3 from 2pm until 5pm with family receiving friends at that time at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Tues., July 5 at 10:30 am at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home with Rev. John Roberts officiating. Military Rites by the Holyoke Vets Club –American Legion Post #90 and VFW Post No. 6482 and interment will be at Riverside Cemetery.

Dick was born in Curtis, Nebraska on Feb. 26, 1945 to Fred and Lizzie Baker Jones. His education was at Curtis Public School and 9-12 grades at University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis. After graduating, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy, taking training at the Great Lakes area. He served at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, with Allied Forces of Southern Europe and NATO Command in Naples, Italy. Dick felt very patriotic toward his country and honored all members of the armed forces.

In October 1967, Dick, went to work for CB&Q Railroad, later called Burlington Northern Santa Fe, in Sterling, transferring to Curtis early the next year. He married Bertha Harris, Dec. 24, 1971 in Curtis. They lived in Curtis for the next five years.

In June 1976, Dick transferred back to Sterling to work on the Burlington as conductor on the coal and freight trains. He helped train many younger men and women who became friends and he also, became a member of the safety team. He was always cautious and wanted his fellow workers to get back home to their spouses. After 35 years of service, in Feb. of 2002, he retired with a shoulder injury.

The last two years Dick drove cars for Wolf Auto. He enjoyed driving different years and models of cars and pickups and traveling to different towns.

Dick was a man of many interests. Some of those include collecting model pickups, coins, caps and hat pins and woodworking. He loved for someone to ask him to make something for them or to help them make something.

Dick belonged to the United Transportation Union #1136 and the American Legion Post #90 of Holyoke, being a life member of both. Being a Commander of the Post was very important to him this last year, he wanted to do the job right.

Dick is survived by his wife Bertha, son Paul, daughter Sonja, and the joys of his life, granddaughters Zariah, Zandra, Zayvea Jones, great grandson Brandon Risberg, all of Sterling, and many nieces, nephews and friends that will miss his cantankerous ways.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Alfred, Jimmie and Gerald Jones and sister Leona Willsey.

Contributions may be made to the Dick Jones Memorial in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home.