David A. Jones
July 31st, 1958 - December 28th, 2024

DAVID'S OBITUARY

David Alan Jones, 66, son of Beverly J. Jones and the late Robert O. Jones passed away at his home on Saturday, December 28th, 2024.

Dave entered this world, right on time, at St. John's Hospital in Rapid City, SD on July 31st, 1958... and for the rest of his time on this planet, he was always on time. To Dave, if you were 10 minutes early, you were already late. Dave had joined his older brother Steven (who was 2 years older) and his arrival completed the Jones family unit.

Even though he was the younger brother, that never stopped him from running with the Meadowbrook schoolyard's older kids. Whether it was a pickup baseball or football game, foot hockey in the driveway, or jumping on the neighbor's trampoline, Dave was always there, right behind Steve.

On June 9th, 1972 the Jones family was gone on vacation. That was the night of the Rapid City flood that killed 238 people. When they returned, their house was gone, not a single brick was left. Where their house once stood, now there was only Rapid Creek.

They were incredibly lucky to be out of town or they would all have certainly perished in the flood that evening. Although this was a difficult and trying time for the family, they felt lucky to be alive and move forward with their lives. This opportunity was not afforded to many of their friends and neighbors.

Dave was a huge audiophile and total lover of rock and roll music from a very young age. He was a collector of guitars and a self-taught strummer. He was a huge influence on his friends with his love of music (especially his cousin Brian) and would attend all types of concerts during his life, which was a love that never faded. Dave was never driven by the spotlight, but he did love the sunlight. He was an avid water and snow skier. Dave took every chance he could to ski, whether it was enjoying the water in a skiing competition on Pactola Lake, or hitting the slopes up on Terry Peak where he and his brother Steve were both members of the Ski Patrol unit. He also spent his free time helping his Grandpa Frank restore his very first 1930 Model A. Many afternoons and evenings throughout his Stevens high school years were spent in a garage learning the mechanical ins-and-outs of a Model A Ford. It was in this time of learning automotive bodywork where he prepped and painted his very own 1967 Camaro.

Following high school, Dave attended Black Hills State University. Dave was always curious, articulate, and never had a problem engaging with his fellow students and professors. After his time at BHSU, it was time to join the family business with his father Bob, and brother Steve... and so began his business career at Larkin & Jones TV and Appliance. For over 35 years Dave & his brother Steve were involved with Larkin & Jones and eventually opened a furniture store called the 7th Street Warehouse (which then became Slumberland Furniture). During this time Dave met the love of his life, Nancy Jo Ryan. They were married on September 20th, 1990.

In 2004, Dave decided to pursue a new passion, so he left the furniture and appliance world for a career in real estate. Dave eventually ended up with RE/MAX Results. He excelled in this new venture. Dave always felt the key to success was education, and being there with the knowledge his customers needed to find the right property. Dave lived up to that educational belief, as he achieved so many real estate designations that only 3% of all realtors in the entire country would achieve his status. And Dave was always humble, he never bragged about these accomplishments. Giving back to the real estate community was always important to Dave. He held many volunteer positions from local association director to the state director. One great honor was being named "Realtor of the Year" by the Black Hills Association of Realtors in 2009.

Outside of the real estate world, Dave and his wife Nancy were very involved in the local Shrine Hospital program. Dave was involved with the NAJA Shriners for over 30 years, where volunteering to make others' lives better is just the way of life for a Shriner. He worked in helping bring the Shrine Circus to life every year and also serving as treasurer, and eventually the highest position of Potentate.

For the past 34 years with his wife Nancy, they shared a passion for helping others, their love of music, golf and travel. Dave knew that life was meant to be filled with family, friends, kindness, and adventure. He did as much as he could nearly every day to enjoy life and pursue his passions.

Dave is survived by his wife, Nancy Jones, mother, Beverly Jones, of Rapid City, SD, his brother Steve (Darla) Jones of Hot Springs, SD, niece Jessie Fleming (Brian) and family of Phoenix, AZ, nephew Casey (Nora) Jones and family of Phoenix, AZ, uncle Dennis (Karen) Busch of Rapid City, SD, cousin Brian (Donna) Busch and family of Rapid City, SD, brother-in-law Jason (Heather) Messer and family of Armour, SD, brother-in- law Tim Ryan and significant other Lori, of Lancaster, CA, sister-in-law Kelly (Dennis) Phillippe and family of Poquoson, VA, and of course his many incredible friends, group of fellow realtors and customers. Dave was preceded in death by his father Robert (Bob) Jones, his grandfather's Frank Busch, Victor Rugg and Delmar Jones, grandmothers Christine Busch and Alvera Rugg, and infant nephew Andrew Jones.

If you wish to honor Dave, please consider making a donation in his name to the 988 Hotline, or another suicide awareness program such as the Front Porch Coalition. It would be a small victory if we can save even one person from this fate and help change the negative stigma of human struggle. We can make progress by all working together to let others know, it's always okay to ask for help.

The funeral service will be held at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City on Saturday, January 4th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Following the burial, there will be a Celebration of Life luncheon and time for gathering and fellowship at the Holiday Inn Downtown Convention Center in the Black Hills Ballroom.

-Grief is the price we pay for love. Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.-

Arrangements with www.osheimschmidt.com

Why?

As hard as you are looking You'll never find the "why" So maybe it's just better
If you don't even try

"Why" cannot change what's happened It can't undo what's done
It will not give you comfort
Or bring back anyone

Accept that God had reasons His timing's never wrong
At any given moment We're right where we belong

He knows your heart is hurting He sees your falling tears
He knows that every second Feels like a thousand years

Maybe it will take some time But you will laugh again
Lean on those who love you most Your family and friends

And know that God is with you You are His child too
His healing light's already Shining down on you...

Donna Schilling © 2023