Kenneth Duane Jones (Doggie)

Kenneth Duane Jones (Doggie) 92, of Pine Bank, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at home with family by his side.

He was born the second of four children to the late John and Dessie Florence (Stewart) Jones on March 19, 1932. 

He met and then married his wife, Linda (Henderson) Jones on October 11, 1958 at Mt. Zion Church. They had three children. 

Duane, as he liked to be called, was drafted into the United States Army to serve in Korea during the Korean War. After serving his time, he returned home and started working for a timber company but realized that he couldn’t provide for his family so he re-enlisted in the Army. He made a career out of the military, serving a total of 24 years, retiring as Sergeant First Class. His list of decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations and campaign ribbons is quite extensive, and includes: Aircraft Crewman Badge; Vietnam Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster; Korean Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; Air Medal; 5 Overseas Bars; Bronze Star Medal; Presidential Unit Citation (Korea); Vietnam Campaign Medal; Good Conduct Medal with Silver Clasp – 2 Loops; and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

When Duane retired from the military and returned home to Pine Bank, he briefly worked at the Brave Brass Plant before taking a position at Ryerson Station State Park as an equipment operator. He held this job for 18 years prior to retiring and choosing to devote his time to the family and farm. He was extremely proud of his military service and took pride in taking care of his farm. Duane was smart and skilled and could easily find a way to fix or make anything. He developed a passion for flying model airplanes while stationed in Germany. He even built some of his very own planes from scratch. 

He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and trapper. Doggie was even able to teach a German Shepherd, his favorite breed of dog, to become a bird dog. He loved dogs and was never without one, even when driving around. He was very generous with treats when meeting new dogs or seeing familiar ones. He was able to teach himself to do anything that he developed an interest in. This included learning to play the violin. He enjoyed hearing about what his six grandchildren were accomplishing in academics and athletics. He would sometimes attend these functions, but if unable, wanted to hear all the details, gleaming with pride after hearing what they had done or achieved. He taught his sons the importance of education and hard work. Duane was very friendly and generous to family and friends and will be deeply missed by those who knew him.

The family would like to thank all the Hospice nurses and the people at Waynesburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for all of the love and care.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Kenneth (Kimberly) Jones, Jr. of Wind Ridge and Kevin (Amy) Jones of Waynesburg; six grandchildren, Kaitlyn Jones of Carmichaels, DJ Jones of Wind Ridge, Sydney Jones and Nate Jones of Waynesburg, Sarah (Daylond) Jones-Lindell of Okinawa, Japan, and Rachel (Tim Balchak) of Boston, MA; one sister, Nellie Rae Morris (Carl) of Narvon, PA; several nieces and nephews and his dog Louie.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son Kurtis Jones; two brothers, Darwin and Franklin Jones.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 2-5 and 6-8 PM at Kesterson-Rush Funeral Home, LLC. 3275 W. Roy Furman Hwy. Rogersville, PA 15359. Telephone: 724-499-5181. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the funeral home with Pastor Scott Blair, officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jackson Twp. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Greene County Humane Society, 183 Jefferson Rd, Waynesburg, PA 15370  or Together with Veterans, checks Payable to Community Foundation and TWV written in the memo, mail to Greene County Veterans Affairs Office, 93 E. High St. Waynesburg, PA 15370. 

Please view and sign the online tribute wall at www.kestersonfh.com.

To order personalized jewelry for Duane go to www.legacytouch.com and enter PIN: DU7KR78X