Richard Eldon Jones, age 83, of Tempe, Arizona, passed away December 16,2021 in Gilbert, Arizona.  He was born September 12,1938 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Virgil Raymond and Bertha Amelia (Alley) Jones. Richard spent his formative years in Burlington, Iowa.

He married Margaret Rathbun and they had one son, Dennis.  They were subsequently divorced.  He later married Cynthia Unruh of McPherson, Kansas.  Both Margaret and Cynthia preceded Richard in death.

Mr. Jones served in the United States Army as a helicopter mechanic, and later as a fixed-wing pilot.  He served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War and a tour in West Germany.  Richard departed the military and worked as a commercial pilot for the remainder of his career.  As a pilot for Hughes Air West earlier in his career he had the opportunity to serve as a part of the flight crew for then candidate Ronald Reagan.  He served in a variety of flying positions and eventually retired as a senior pilot for Delta Airlines in 1998.

Survivors include one son: Dennis (Collette) Jones of Kalispell, MT, two grandchildren Kyle and Amy, and one sister: Ruthann (David) Thomas of Seneca, SC.  Private burial will be in the Crane Cemetery, near Lomax, Illinois.

Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst, Illinois is assisting with arrangements.  Please visit Richard's obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.