Bruce L. Jones
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Bruce L. Jones, 68, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, in Lees Summit, Mo. He will be remembered as a kind, caring, loving husband, father, brother and friend who believed that life should be lived to fullest, appreciated and enjoyed.
Born on Feb. 3, 1953, in Omaha, Neb., to Jimmie Grant Jones and Wonda Kathleen (Lyvers) Jones. He was the oldest of two children.
Following his graduation from Benson High School in Omaha, Neb., Bruce attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies and formed lifelong friendships that enriched his life with love, wonderful experiences and lots of laughter.
He went on to attend the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in Minneapolis, Minn., where he earned his master of divinity in religion and theology.
Following graduation from Seminary, Bruce worked for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ World Headquarters in Independence, Mo., as an editor of Christian studies materials. Poetry and a love for writing were among Bruce’s lifelong passions. He self-published several books of his poetry over the years.
Bruce’s love of his life was his wife, Lesa Sharp Jones. The two were married on April 27, 1985, at the home of good friends Barbara and Gary Noble in Kansas City, Mo. Bruce and Lesa had one son, Bryce Walker Jones, and shared custody of Cory Robert Kent – Lesa’s son from a previous marriage.
During their 26-year marriage, Bruce and Lesa’s home was the epicenter of fun, wonderful food, love and fellowship for countless friends, family and “framily.” Their dedication to caring for others is a testament of the deep and abiding love and devotion they felt for each other.
Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Lesa Sharp Jones; his mother, Wonda Kathleen Lyvers; grandparents Everett and Nina Lyvers and George and Dorotha Jones. He is survived by his son Bryce Walker Jones, wife Lauren Casset and two grandsons, Huxley Robert Jones and Wesley Walker Jones of Blue Springs, Mo.; stepson Cory Robert Kent of Kansas City, Mo.; his sister, Deb S. Christiansen Garza and husband Leandro Humberto of Blue Springs, Mo.; two nieces April Lynn Christiansen Collins, husband Isak Christiansen and great niece De’avonna Fernetta Brown of St. Paul, Minn.; Jennifer Ann Christiansen Becker, husband Andrew Christopher and great niece Addison Marie of Oskaloosa, Iowa; his father, Jimmie Grant Jones of Sidney, Iowa, and numerous extended family and “framily” – all of whom were cherished and loved by Bruce.
A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Walnut Gardens Congregation, 19201 East R.D. Mize Road, Independence, Mo. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance at the service is limited to 125, social distancing must be adhered to and masks are required. Refreshments will be served following the service. Please follow Bruce’s Facebook page for updates regarding the service and to watch it virtually at: https://www.facebook.com/bruce4j. Flowers may be delivered to the church the day of the funeral between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Memorials may be made out to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. For those who wish to write a check and include with a card to the family, they can be mailed to Bruce Jones, c/o Community of Christ Church, 16657 E 23 St South #243, Independence, MO, 64055. You may also contribute online at themmrf.org or mailed to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, P.O. Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241-4238. Please indicate Bruce’s name at the time of your donation.
My life was made richer because of my friendship with Bruce.
I am grateful.
I will miss Bruce.
His friendship was a treasured blessing in my life. I too will miss Bruce immensely, but am grateful that we traveled on adjoining life paths for many years.
My heart goes out to all that had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a great man, a wonderful friend and a fantastic father to Cory and Bryce. His memory will forever be with us.
Goodbye, Dear Friend. You are missed; our hearts are broken, but I trust yours is mended.
RIP old friend for over 50 years. Many good times and I still get those Face Book reminders..GO Royals!
Bruce was an explorer of the inner landscape of this human ‘experiment’. His poetry, in particular, was a gift to others in search of answers to the questions, “Who am I?” and “Who are we?” and “What is our purpose in this time called life?” His own search was companionship and guidance for family and friends through the years. His loss will be mourned. His giftedness will continue to be received with gratitude. He will not be forgotten.
I was looking forward to our time together in your retirement and as we entered into empty-nester-hood.
I’m so grateful for the times we did spend eating, talking, and drinking wine.
I’m sorry I waited for less complicated times to better connect since those times will now never come.
I’m comforted by the knowledge that you get to be reconnected with Lesa. I imagine you both happy; cozied up together on a couch, reading, sharing stories, and laughing.
Goodbye, dear Uncle. Your absence is deeply felt.
Well, this past week each Webb and Noble are completely silent. Which to each of you will make you smile or sigh. (Or maybe both.) But the loss we all feel is profound and noone has many words. Just sadness and despair. Leaving the “Framily” a bit lost.
Bruce, you are one of the most sincere and loving men I’ve ever been blessed to have in my life. You don’t pass judgement. You support everyone (AND the Chiefs) …with wine in hand.
Thank you for your friendship, love, conversation, time, poetry, photography & humor. Please give Lesa lots of hugs and love from each of us!!!
I grew up in the same neighborhood with Bruch from the second grade through our high school years at Benson. Bruce always was the kind soul and a genuine good person to be around. My prayers to his family…Bruce, may you Rest In Peace.