John Randolph Jones, of Olive Branch, MS, known lovingly as Randy or JR to his family and friends, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Born in Memphis in 1950, Randy grew up in Frayser and Whitehaven. Shortly after graduating from Whitehaven HS, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served our country in the Vietnam War from 1968-1971. Shortly after returning from Vietnam, he fell in love with the literal “girl next door,” Bonnie Wallace. After a brief courtship, they got married and built a loving life together in Memphis and Southaven, MS, with their daughters, Kay and Maurie. His relationships with their husbands, Chuck (Kay) and Brian (Maurie) was special to him and something he treasured. However, the title he was proudest of was “Papa” to Jackson and Cooper, Maurie & Brian's boys. Due to that, he even ventured away from his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide shirts and was known to wear an Ole Miss Grandpa shirt proudly around town.

He spent 25 years as a lineman at MLGW before retiring and beginning a second career as a commercial real estate agent at Command Realty Group. Randy was an active member for 20 years at Desoto Hills Baptist Church, serving as a deacon, singing in the choir, and making Mrs. Bonnie's preschool children laugh every Sunday.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Bonnie; his daughters, Kay (Chuck) and Maurie (Brian); his grandsons, Jackson and Cooper; his sisters, Renee (Jerry) Davis and Rita Jones; and numerous nieces and nephews across the country. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Faye Jones, and his brother, Ricky.

Randy loved the Lord, his family, his friends, and his country.

A visitation will be held on Monday, July 27 from 11am-1pm at Desoto Hills Baptist Church in Southaven, MS, with a celebration of life immediately following at 1pm. A gravesite service will be held immediately afterwards for close family and friends at Forest Hill Memorial Park South.

The family requests that any memorials be sent to Desoto Hills Baptist Church in Randy's name for distribution to charitable organizations he loved.