Richard "Casey" Allen Jones, beloved husband of JoAnn, father to Susan, Sharon, Richard, Julia, and Janell, died at home on January 6, 2018. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Clarence "Sonny" and Jennie Jones.

Born in Spencer, Iowa, Casey was the only child of Sonny and Jennie, who owned and operated a funeral home. When Casey was nine, the family purchased a farm east of Chetek, and he attended the one-room Moose Ear schoolhouse. As a young boy, Casey enjoyed fishing, hunting, water-skiing and helping around the farm. Later, he graduated from the old Chetek High School (class of '53), where he lettered in basketball, football, and baseball. Casey's mother Jennie, an avid outdoors woman, passed along her love of fishing and golf, and he was a dedicated golfer throughout his life.

After one year at St. Olaf College, Casey enrolled as an aviation cadet in 1956. He completed primary pilot training in Bainbridge, GA, and his first assignment was at Greenville AFB in MS. In the 60's, he served as a pilot instructor in Arizona, along with two-year tour as Emergency Action Officer in Aviano, Italy. After completing F-4 training, he flew over 250 combat missions at Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam.

Colonel Jones was a command pilot with more than 4,500 hours in the cockpit. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Long Tour  Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Legion of Merit Medal.

He retired from the Air Force in 1987 after 30 years of service, and began a second career with Northwest Airlines. After 10 years as Senior Director of Maintenance Programs and Standards, he retired for the last time to spend time with his wife JoAnn, his life partner.

Casey and JoAnn traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Many winters were spent in Las Vegas, and summers at their home on Pokegama Lake, where they enjoyed spending time with family.

Casey had five children, Susan (Ron) Mounts, Sharon (Bill) Jones, Richard (Judy) Jones, Julia (Jim) Jones, and Janell (Ron) Trester. He had six grandchildren (Sean, Christian, Britt, Allen, David, Jackson) and eight great-grandchildren.