Kelly Lee Jones, the son of Maurice Eugene Jones and Mary Catherine (Vance) Hope, was born December 20, 1965, in Fairfax, Missouri. He attended Tarkio High School, Tarkio, Missouri, graduating in 1984. Kelly attended Northwest Technical School, Maryville, Missouri, where he received his Auto Mechanic Certificate in 1987.

In the late 1980’s to mid-1990’s, Kelly worked at the NAPA Auto Parts store in Tarkio, Missouri. He hauled grain for a period of time for Bill Smith Trucking Tarkio, and Bill Miller, Shenandoah, Iowa. From early to mid-2000’s, he delivered camper trailers throughout the country. He later was employed by Carquest Auto Parts in Maryville, as a parts salesman, until his health declined.

In 1993, Kelly began serving with the Tarkio Volunteer Fire Department, retiring in 2015. He loved operating the pumps on the trucks and won numerous trophies in Water Fighting for the department. Kelly was deemed an Honorary Fireman. Kelly also was a member of the Slo Rollers Car Club, where he served as Vice President for several years. He passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 59.

Kelly was preceded in death by his father and numerous aunts and uncles. Survivors include mother, Mary Hope, Tarkio; brothers, Curt (Kim) Jones, Hickory, North Carolina, and Mike (Sandy) Jones, Blair, Nebraska; nieces and nephews, Nicole Baldwin, Chris Baldwin, Lindsay (Matt) Lampert, Stuart (Meagan) Jones, Miles (Cheyenne) Jones and Tyler Jones; uncle, David Vance, Tarkio; great nephews, Josh, Levi and Watson, great niece, Makynlee; numerous cousins; special friend, Teresa Strawhacker and her son, Devon.

Memorial Service: 1:00 P.M., Saturday, March 8, 2025, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

Open visitation begins 9:00 A.M., Friday, March 7, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. There is no scheduled family visitation.

Inurnment: Home Cemetery, Tarkio.

Memorials: Kelly Jones Memorial Fund.

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

www.minterfuneralchapels.com