Robert "Buck" Jones

Robert R. “Buck” Jones was born December 22, 1932, at Decatur, Arkansas, the son of Elbert B. and Lola Spear Jones. At an early age he came to Kansas and was raised by his mother and step-father, Arthur W. Howell in Lincoln, KS. He died in his home in Topeka on February 28, 2011. Mr. Jones retired in 1991 as Chief, Bureau of Program Management, with the Kansas Department of Transportation. He previously worked for the Federal Bureau of Reclamation and worked in Lincoln, Mankato and Salina for the then Kansas Highway Commission. He served in the Kansas National Guard for nine years. He was manager of a girls’ softball team for many years and served on the board of directors and as President Southwest Youth Athletic Association (Ken Berry). He and his wife previously owned and operated Topeka Boat Storage. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. A licensed professional engineer, he was a member of the Kansas Engineering Society and National Society of Professional Engineers. An early advocate for personal computers, he enjoyed keeping golf handicaps for friends and co-workers for many years. He served on the board of Retired Senior Volunteer Program and was a volunteer for VITA, the Kansas Historical Society and the Topeka Genealogical Society. He married Janet Engwall on June 8, 1958, at Kackley, Kansas. She survives. He was preceded in death by his father, Elbert B. Jones, step-father, Arthur Howell Sr. and sister, Vaudene Field. Survivors include his mother, Lola Howell, Lincoln; two daughters, Colleen Lippe and her husband David, Topeka, Monica Jones, Shawnee and two grandchildren, Andrew and Allison Lippe. Also, five half-brothers, Arthur W. Howell Jr., Lincoln, Franklin Howell, Ames, IA, Daryle Howell, Golzalas, TX, Doyle Howell, Horton, Lyle Howell, Alpharetta, GA; one sister, Cheryl Lepisto, Mission. Visitation will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2011 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2021 SW 29th St, Topeka KS, 66611. A memorial service will be 3 p.m. on Friday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th St., Suite 100, Topeka KS, 66614.

Robert "Buck" Jones

December 22, 1932 - March 3, 2011