AFRH-G Resident Highlight – Arthur “Art” W. Jones
By Lori Kerns | Librarian
Arthur “Art” Jones was born in Memphis, Tenn. but was raised in Chicago, Ill. Art had aspirations to
follow in the footsteps of most of the males in his family by wanting to serve in the military. At the young age of 15, before completing his high school education, he volunteered for the Army.
Right away, he was sent to Korea where he served in the 17th Field Artillery by working with eight-inch Howitzers to support the Marines. He served from 1952 to 1955 and felt as though this experience gave him the purpose and maturity that he had been seeking. He returned to Chicago and began working for the city transit. Around this time he met his future bride, Ruth.
It was around 1958 when Art felt as though he needed to finish what he started with his military career. He rejoined the Army and spent the rest of his calling with the military police and with a Green Beret attachment, among other assignments. He retired from the Army in 1976 with 24 years of service, all while earning two college degrees.
After retirement, Art used his education to find work in the private industry. He began working as a supervisor for a packaged food plant that would eventually be sold to Conagra. He worked his way up the chain all the way to the corporate level before retiring from his twenty-year career while working at Conagra’s corporate headquarters.
Art’s extensive accomplishments did not just end with his career, he has also remained heavily active in his community. His interest in civic affairs led him to work for five years as an ESL instructor. He also served as the state commissioner of Arkansas. Among his other civic and community activities were his positions as president of the Noon Time Rotary Club, board member of the Area Agency for Aging Board for Adult Education in Arkansas, board member and chairman of the board of City Corporation for Russellville, AR. Art also held the position of area manager of Arkansas and half of Missouri for the 2000 and 2010 U. S. Census. His charitable contributions have also steered him to work with the United Way by serving as the president of the River Valley United Way. His aim to reach a higher fundraising goal for the organization was met with deep appreciation. In addition to Art’s civic commitments, he also found time to stay active within his church community by teaching Sunday school and serving as chairman of the finance committee.
Art and Ruth were happily married for 61 years before her passing last year. The couple raised three children who have given them four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Art’s drive and passion are qualities that were definitely shared by his family. Ruth was a registered nurse and taught nursing at Arkansas Tech University. All three of his children also carry on his sense of accomplishment with their professional careers as a college administrator, a college professor, and a U.S. Postal Service worker.
Art has not been at AFRH-G for very long but has hit the ground running. He currently volunteers in
administration and has recently announced his intentions to run for RAC Chairman next month. Welcome to AFRH-G and thank you for your service, Art!
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