Dale Keith Jones

Dale Keith Jones, 80, from McArthur, OH, passed away on Monday, November 8, 2021, at Adena Regional Hospital in Chillicothe, OH from complications of COVID. He was born in Lancaster, OH to Dale E. and Eva (nee Knox) Jones on June 24, 1941.

He attended Lancaster City Schools and was a Class of 1959 graduate of Lancaster High School. He attended Ohio University in Athens and then attended and graduated with a B.S. degree from Milligan College in Tennessee in 1963. He was a lifeguard and later manager of Miller Pool from 1957-1963. Keith was active in Boy Scouts into young adulthood and was well versed in Lancaster history through friends and mentors in this program, Pearl Jenkins and Charlie Goslin. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in I 963 and graduated from Officers Candidacy School in Denver in I 964. After many stations, tours of duty and worldwide travel, he was honorably discharged from service as a Captain in 198 I. He held various jobs after that working for Lockheed in cargo transportation and some substitute teaching, although bis main love and avocation was being an outdoorsman and "marching to his own drummer". He was an amateur but very knowledgeable herpetologist and wildlife enthusiast. After returning to Ohio, be became certified and trained through a Parks Forestry and Rangers program and was a volunteer naturalist at Lake Hope State Park Nature Center for many years. He was a prolific reader of nonfiction works and pursued post graduate classes in International Studies at OU in Athens for several years. He also enjoyed reenacting frontiersmen and pioneer life at specialty events, down to authentic costuming and the beard. He was a virulent collector of many items with an extensive collection of authentic Indian artifacts and arrowheads, rocks, seashells, coins, and music tapes among other things. He was a true patriot and supported many Veterans causes and organizations and was a member of the VFW in McArthur and attended the First Christian Church in McArthur.

Keith is survived by a daughter, Holly Lunsford, of Jacksonville, FL, a sister, Sue (Terry) Oehrtman of Lancaster, nieces, Tami (Mark) Cumpston of Fishers, IN, Tolli (Keith) Bebout of Carroll, OH, nephews Tracy Oehrtman of Rushville, OH, and Ty Oehrtman of Tacoma, WA. Also, great nieces Presleigh, Baya and Tenley, and great nephew, Caleb as well as several cousins.

Keith was predeceased by his parents, Dale (2006) and Eva (1984) as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.

There will be no services and burial will be at Mace Cemetery in Radcliff, OH at the family's convenience.

ln lieu of flowers or memorials, the family suggests making a donation to a favorite charity in his memory.

Arrangements by Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, 201 W. High St., McArthur.

Please sign his online guestbook at www.cardaras.com