Richard (Rick) Dow Jones was born September 16, 1944 and grew up in South Gate, living off Atlantic and Tenya.  His family was tied to the Tweedy Family, who were early pioneers settling South Gate.  Living near the park and attending Tweedy Elementary School, he and Ken Pence (S'62) grew up together, were in Boy Scouts, and made many special memories throughout our years in junior and senior high school and beyond.  Sitting in alphabetical order in Homeroom, Wendell Jackson (S'62) remembers he and Rick sat together throughout their three years in junior high.  Rick was also good friends with Gary Oedekerk (S'62), they shared mutual interests, and their friendship continued through the years as well.   

Growing up Rick was in Boy Scouts, Troop 246, and he worked his way to proudly become an Eagle Scout.  Rick graduated from CSULB and became a Petroleum Engineer.  He worked on offshore oil rigs all over the world.  It was dangerous work and he suffered lots of injuries to his back, working on the oil rigs and drilling units.  While working in Brazil, he developed Typhoid Fever and was shipped back to the States.  His beautiful blonde nurse, Stephanie, successfully nursed him back to health, they fell in love, and she became his wife!  They made their home in Huntington Beach and they had three great children, Skipper, Sterling, and Olivia.  Their family has grown into a large, loving family and they have been blessed with lots of grandchildren!

Rick's love for the Boy Scouts continued as he was Scoutmaster for his sons and he continued to be involved with the Boy Scouts several years after his boys were done.  Rick has always loved the beach and anything that involved the water: surfing; water, jet, even snow skiing.  Most of all, though, he loved motorcycles!  Through the years, he has had many!  He was in the Huntington Beach Biker Boys and an active member of the motorcycle club, H.O.G. Irvine.  Both he and Stephanie have loved all the trips:  Sturgis, Reno, Yuma, Death Valley, and all over!  Gary Oedekerk and Ken Pence joined him with their love of motocycles and they have ridden together from time to time.  Additionally, Rick was in Ken's wedding!  

Rick turned 80 in September!  With all the injuries he had had through the years in his career, he was in a lot of pain and needed back surgery.  Because of the upcoming surgery just before Thanksgiving 2024, he was taken off blood thinners.  The surgery was a success and he was delighted to be free of pain.  However, Saturday morning before Thanksgiving, he suffered a massive stroke.  Sadly, he passed away Thanksgiving afternoon, November 28, 2024.  

Rick and his infectious smile and enthusiam for life and adventure is dearly missed by his wife, Stephanie, loving family, and friends.  A memorial service was held on December 21, 2024 and a Celebration of Life was held at the Harley Davidson Irvine.  An impressive Biker's Memorial honored Rick with over 50 bikers participating.  He would have been so proud!!!  Rest in Peace, dear Classmate.

Please click on the link below to visit Rick's page on the Fairhaven Memorial site.  A beautiful tribute movie to Rick's life, with many pictures through the years, is on his obituary. 

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/santa-ana-ca/richard-jones-12114944