Richard Berry “Birddog” Jones

Richard Berry “Birddog” Jones of Gray, departed this life on Dec. 26, 2018 at the UK Medical Center after a short battle with cancer.

He was born on April 19, 1959 in Corbin to Andrew O. Jones and Martha Gregory Jones.

Richard retired from teaching special education for 28 years at Lynn Camp Schools. After his retirement he returned to work in other aspects at the school. He was a coach of multiple sports at Lynn Camp for 42 years including, football, softball, baseball, basketball, track and he started the first cross country team at Lynn Camp. For the last 30 years he was the girl’s basketball head coach where he achieved three separate district championships, multiple trips to the regions and over 300 career wins.

He was a man that gave his all to everyone all the time. He has given people a place to sleep when they were homeless, a meal when they didn’t have anything to eat, a friend when they had none, and confidence when they had reached the bottom. His love was unconditional – he never judged, he always loved and gave.

Richard was preceded in death by his father, Andrew O. Jones and by his brother Shannon P. Jones.

He is survived by his wife, Tonya R. Jones; children, Kayla Knuckles and husband Darick, Austin Mason, and Andrew Jones; grandchildren, Reagan and Dawson Knuckles; mother, Martha Gregory Jones; brother, Oris (Pam) Jones; sisters, Sharon (Rick) Rose, Teresa Engle, Kim (Elijah) Barnett; and by a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends and coworkers who will all mourn his passing.
The funeral service was held Monday, December 31, at Lynn Camp High School Gymnasium with Rev. Kenny Johnson officiating.
Burial followed in the Bolton-Birddog Cemetery in Woodbine.
Pallbearers will be the Lynn Camp School staff. Honorary pall bearers will be Wade Mitchell, Dennis Fox, Eric Canady, Michael Hensley, Steve Noe, Jimmy Herren, John Grubb, Glen Bolton, Joe Mahan, Bruce Coulter, and David Mitchell.
In lieu of flowers donations may be at Forcht Bank to the “Coach Richard Jones Memorial Fund”
Arrangements by the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home where messages may be written to the family at vankirkgrisellfuneralhome.com