James Howard Jones, 79, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 2, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 17, 1932, in St. Louis to Howard and Edith Herzinger Jones.

He married Dixie Young on Dec. 12, 1954, at the First Baptist Church in Whitewater.

James served in the Navy during the Korean War.

He was the former executive vice president for Campbell Mattress Co. in Cape Girardeau.

He was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church.

His family, especially his grandchildren, friends and golfing at Kimbeland Country Club were true joys in his life.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Dixie Jones of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Mike and wife Kathy Jones of St. Louis and Greg and wife Marianne Jones of Jefferson City, Mo.; a daughter, Kim and husband Tom Eggemeyer of Bozeman, Mont.; a sister Martha Wagoner of Annada, Mo.; a half sister, Sharon Kay Clark of Dresden, Tenn.; two stepsisters, Laverne and husband Jerry Waddle of Cape Girardeau and Evelyn Nance of Whitewater; and six grandchildren, Meghan, Alexandra and Ben Jones, Anna Peltonen, Zachary and Erin Eggemeyer.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gene Jones.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral chapel, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating.

Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.