Leamon R.Duffield Jones

Jones, Leamon R. Duffield "Duck", Aged 72, passed away on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 peacefully in his sleep.
Born in Cooperative, KY on August 21, 1941 to Dewey and Mary Jones(nee Miller). Leamon was the 10th of 11 children. After attending school, he went on to honorably serve his country in the US Army, both with the military police, 534th MP Co.as well as the 4th Squadron,12th Cavalry as a Helicoper Technical Inspector and Aircraft Mechanic. Leamon was stationed in several locations throughout his military career but will be remembered most for his dedication and service through two tours in Vietnam.
In 1963, Leamon, also lovingly known by "Duffield" or "Duck" to many family and friends, met the love of his entire life, Virgie Lee Cooper, at a quaint little diner, Qualls Restaurant, in Jamestown, TN. Although they were both engaged to be married to others, they instantly fell in love and began a life long love affair in which they celebrated 50 years of loving marriage this year on May 24, 2013.
Leamon and Virgie eventually were stationed in Fort Carson, CO where sadly their first child,a son Jeffery, was stricken with Leukemia and passed in 1967 on to heaven at the young age of 2 1/2 years old. Joyfully Leamon and Virgie were also expecting their second child. Angela was born in the spring of 1968 while Leamon was temporarily stationed in California but upon his return Leamon decided to end his military career in favor of civilian life with his wife and infant daughter. Leamon moved his young family across country to Medway, OH to begin what would be a very long career in the Automotive industry with the General Motors Corp. Leamon worked as a Machine Job Setter most of his career at the Delco Moraine plant in Dayton, OH but worked at several locations in the area. He celebrated a 30 year career with a retirement ceremony in 1998. He believed in a strong work ethic and took pride in what ever job he did throughout his life.
In 1971, Leamon and Virgie welcomed their youngest daughter, Kimberly.
Leamon was an extremely loving and devoted father. His daughters were his pride and joy and although he worked very hard, nights, weekends and overtime to provide for his family, he never complained nor uttered a harsh word. His passing has left a void that will never be filled and his love for his daughters will always be felt.
He was a humorous man who loved to laugh and tell jokes. In his younger
years, Leamon enjoyed many pastimes such as bowling, gardening and fishing. He gardened many years and would often share the fruits of his labors with friends and neighbors.
Leamon enjoyed fishing very much and would take fishing trips to Lake Erie and Cesars Creek State park and also made custom rods. He could talk fishing for hours and loved the Tennesse Volunteers College football team, he was a life long fan and supporter.
Although he loved fishing and football, his passion was his grandchildren. Courtney and Brandon arrived in 1991 and 1994 to the proudest grandpa ever. Although he and Virgie were set to retire to their home of Tennessee, they changed their minds to remain close to their grandchildren. Leamon shared a very close bond with Courtney and Brandon. He loved spending hours just
chatting with them, telling stories of his childhood and of his life. He will be immeasurably missed by them and will never be forgotten. He was looking forward to becoming a great-grandpa in February 2014.
Leamon had many friends through out the years which included special friends, Jerry Domi, Robert "Slim" , William Locker and Donnie Russell Sr. He often sat on his front porch, overlooking a pond chatting with neighbors and friends, waving to passers by and saying hello to all the local children who affectionately knew him not as Leamon or Duffield but as "Papa".
He took special pleasure in feeding the squirrels that lived in the trees near his home and would often entice them onto the deck to take peanuts he had
placed on the rail or at his feet.
Leamon is survived by his wife, Virgie L. Jones (nee Cooper) of Spring Valley, OH, his daughters, Angela Blasioli Russell and Kimberly Jones,four grandchildren, Courtney Blasioli and Alex Price, Brandon Blasioli and Brittany Brooks,as well as three step-grandchildren, Brien, Michael and Kailey Russell, and a future great grandson, Gage Orion Place, his sister Juanita Adkins (Danny), brothers, Robie Jones (Pat), Eugene Jones (Jackie)and Don Jones, brothers-in-law, Roy Cooper (Norma), Millard Waters (Hallie),Thurman Young (Christine) and dozens of other family including nieces,nephews and cousins, and finally his special family pets, Candy and Funny Face.
Leamon was preceeded in death by his parents, Dewey and Mary (nee Miller) Jones, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alfred Otley "Dock" and Martha (nee Allred) Cooper, sisters,Christine Young(Thurman),Clotine and Jewel Jones, sisters-in-law, Ova Cooper, Irene cooper and Hallie Waters, brothers, Orville Jones,Doyle Jones, Joe David Jones, brothers-in-law, Allard "Short" Cooper and Ray Cooper. The family will have initial services and receive friends from 4:00-6:00p.m.Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 at the Spring Valley Baptist Church, 210 Mound St., Spring Valley, OH 45370 with a service immediately following and a gathering to celebrate his life in the church basement. A second memorial service will also be conducted at a later date in Jamestown, TN.