Melvyn Charles “Mel” Jones was born on July 11, 1945, in Coventry in Warwickshire, England, the son of the late Charles and Edith Jones. He died of complications from Covid-19 on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 75.
Mel was an accomplished metallurgist, having first completed a course of study in Foundry Practice in 1966 at Coventry Technical College in Central England. Additionally, he earned advanced certification in Foundry Practice in 1968 from City & Guilds of London Institute and Certification of Distinction from the Bolton Institute of Technology.
In 1991, he was registered with The Engineering Council of England as an Incorporated Engineer, having attained membership in the acclaimed Institute of British Foundrymen.
He and his late wife, Jackie, married in August 1970. Together they had daughter, Melissa Jones. Jackie preceded him in death.
Mel was renowned in his field and within that realm, he traveled the world. Over the years, his business periodically brought him from his Taunton, England home to the United States, often in the capacity of consultant at Malden’s Federal Mogul plant. He eventually came to stay periodically at the Bed & Breakfast of Lynda Lovins of rural Dexter.
The two soon learned they had several similarities; he a widow, she a widower. They both loved to cook and to garden, to travel and to entertain. Their friendship grew into love, and in the fall of 2015, the two were wed in Dexter, Missouri, and the British gent pulled up his roots in England and made his home in America. Lynda Lovins-Jones survives at their rural Dexter home.
Mel Jones will be remembered for many things. In his youth, he was an accomplished rugby and badminton player, two competitive sports in Britain. He was accomplished at photography, gardening, woodworking, fishing, carpentry and sculpting.
He loved family, his beloved England, fine food, good conversation and the wonders of nature.
Mel claimed numerous awards at the highly competitive Taunton Flower Show for his numerous and varied talents, among them the coveted JC Spear Cup.
He applied his gardening and culinary skills locally, once he settled in the States and garnered the attention of an appreciative audience at the Keller Public Library and other Stoddard County venues.
Mel Jones will perhaps best be remembered as a gentleman and a friend. His friendship was cherished by a multitude of long-ago established acquaintances in his native land and an equal number of those founded since his arrival in the Dexter area.
A special group of friends, dubbed The OHRAS, included a group of 10 devoted companions who traveled to the mountains of northwest Arkansas twice annually to explore the hiking trails and all that nature had to offer in the region. Additionally, the friends gathered often to share the best of food and music. That group will continue, but will be forever altered.
Along with his wife, Lynda, and daughter, Melissa, of Plymouth, England, he is survived by a sister, Irene Whitehead (Dave) of Drimoleague, Ireland; a stepson, Damon Dowdy (Amy) of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; a stepdaughter, Dana Lovins (Randy) of Dexter; five step-grandchildren; and three great step-grandchildren, all of whom he considered family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jackie; a son who died at birth; and his sister, Janet.
Due to the Covid pandemic, there will be no formal service at this time. There will, however be a time of visitation at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. There will be no graveside service, as the family has chosen cremation, allowing his ashes to be shared overseas.
A celebration, honoring the life of Mel Jones, will be announced at a later date, once the threat of the current pandemic has passed.
Memorials honoring Mel C. Jones may be made to the Keller Public Library, 402 West Grant Street, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or First United Methodist Church, PO Box 156, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
