Robert Verle Jones

Reidsville –Robert Verle “Bob” Jones, 90, passed away at his home on Friday, April 5, surrounded by his loving family, after a brief bout with cancer. Funeral services will be conducted at First Presbyterian Church, South Main Street, Reidsville, NC on Monday, April 8, 2013 at 3:00PM and will be officiated by Dr. Doug McLeroy and Rev. Ralph Clayton, with interment following at Evergreen Memory Gardens, Reidsville, NC. Bob was born on November 11, 1922 in Wyanet, Illinois to the late Verle and Cora Jones. He retired from Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line as a thirty-five year employee in 1985, shortly after being honored by having his picture appear on the cover of The Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Annual Report for 1984. He learned to weld at The R.G. Le Tourneau plant in Peoria, Illinois in 1943 and was employed by Natural Gas Company of America in Belvidere, Illinois in 1946. He began his career with Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line in 1950, starting in New Brunswick, New Jersey and later moving to Reidsville, with his family, in the late summer of 1950. Bob’s knowledge of the pipeline-welding industry was enormous and he enjoyed it until the very day of his passing. He formed life-long friendships within the profession who valued his dedication, his unsurpassed skills and his unflinching willingness to help others. He was a Lifetime Member of the Reidsville Elks Lodge where he spent the majority of his Wednesday afternoons after retirement playing gin rummy. Bob was long-known for his quick wit and unsurpassed generosity, traits which his family and many friends will always treasure and never forget. One of his most treasured moments was when he became known as "Dot-Dot" to his grandchildren and great grandsons. He enjoyed family beach trips, road trips to Illinois, watching ballgames and teaching his “boys” to play cards. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Lou Plumley of Belvidere, IL; and his brother and sister-in-law, James Donald Jones (Marie) of Floral City, FL. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Betty Streicher Jones of the home; sons, Gary R. Jones (Marianne) of Youngsville, NC; Greg L. Jones (Carol) of Reidsville, NC; grandchildren, Melanie Jones Tudor and Derek L. Jones (Jessica Harrell) of Reidsville, NC; great grandchildren, Tyler and Grayson Tudor, Conner and Caden Jones, all of Reidsville, NC. He is also survived by Norma Hamrick (sister-in-law) of Wyanet, IL and Norman Plumley (brother-in-law) New Berlin, WI and 5 special nephews. The family will receive friends at Wilkerson Funeral Home, Reidsville, NC on Sunday, April 7, 2013 from 6 to 8PM and other times at the home of Greg and Carol at 1039 Frances Drive, Reidsville, NC. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Roy Fagan, Carolina Apothecary delivery drivers, Hospice of Rockingham County and his special nurse, Tina Rager. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.