Jacquelyn Kay Jones

Jacquelyn Kay Jones, age 75 years, of Columbia, MO, died Thursday, August 15 at Lenoir Woods.

She was born February 16,1949 in Kirksville, MO., the daughter of Orley and Creola (Skinner) Jones.

She was a 1967 graduate of Cairo High School in Cairo, MO.  She then attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) where she received a bachelor’s degree in Business Education and a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling.  In 1979, she graduated with her Juris Doctorate from the law school at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

Jackie began her career at the University of Missouri in 1979 as manager of MU Business Services.  She continued her employment at the University for 34 years until her retirement as Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services in 2013. 

While at MU she wore many hats.  She oversaw Campus Facilities, the power plant, human resources, the cashier’s office, MU police, parking and transportation, the University Club and MU Catering, Jesse Auditorium, KOMU-TV, vending, mail and printing services, environmental health and safety, A.L. Gustin Golf Course, and MU contracts and leasing. She was also involved with the Show-Me State games from the start.  The games became one of the largest and most successful games in the nation.

Jackie was an avid reader and loved to cook. She loved trying and sharing new recipes, while also enjoying the tried and true. Many nights you could find her and friends enjoying dinner and drinks at some of Columbia’s best local restaurants. Jackie loved to travel. Traveling to Chicago via train to catch shows at The Chicago Theater, unwinding at the Rock Bridge Rainbow Trout Farm or visiting her favorite place, Hawaii, were some of her favorite pastimes. She also developed a love of steamboat river cruises. She cruised rivers in the Northwest, Midwest, and Northeast. In order to escape the Missouri winters, she also enjoyed spending time in Fort Lauderdale. She found a special joy in all the cats she had throughout her life, including most recently Bea and Thelma.

Survivors include her cousins, Pam Taylor Riedel (George) of Columbia; and Lee Jones (Molly) of St. Louis.  She is also survived by her adopted family: the children and grandchildren of the late Jim and Fran Joy, including Tyler Joy (Carrie) of Millersburg, and Morgan Twenter (Shawn), James, and Hadley of Columbia.

The family would like to thank Alex Tungesvik, MD, MO Cancer Associates, for the excellent care he gave to Jackie and for the compassion he gave to her and the family. She truly adored him.

As directed by Jackie, there will not be a visitation or service.  Honoring her request, there will be a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.  Please plan on joining family and friends for a drink or two to celebrate all the good times, a life well lived, gone too soon.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Jefferson City Animal Shelter, 2308 Hyde Park Road, Jefferson City, MO 65109 or the Mizzou Botanic Garden, General Services Building, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211

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