WILLISTON, Ohio — Richard Lewis Jones, a longtime elementary physical education teacher in Oregon City Schools who was an Ohio Naval Militia veteran, died Monday at Good Shepherd Home in Fostoria. He was 86.

Mr. Jones, formerly of Williston, died of kidney failure, son Patrick Jones said.

Physical education was his father’s passion, his son said.

“He had his strict side, but he also knew how to have fun. And his students loved him,” Mr. Jones said.

“He generally cared for other people and wanted them to succeed,” he said. “That went for everybody — his students, his fellow teachers, his family.”

Mr. Jones retired in 1996 after 30 years of teaching physical education, mostly at Coy Elementary and Jerusalem Elementary.

Additionally, he coached football for the school district for several years and for a time was a head coach of the Clay High School cross country program, which he had started. He also authored a 1992 book on recess supervision.

In retirement, Mr. Jones worked part time, teaching physical education at different times at Immaculate Conception School in Port Clinton, St. Boniface Catholic School in Oak Harbor, Ohio, and Oregon Eagle Learning Center until retiring permanently in 2020.

In his younger years, Mr. Jones served with the Ohio Naval Militia from 1981, when he entered the volunteer service as chief petty officer, to 1991, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant.

Born May 28, 1937, in Oberlin, Ohio, to Helen and Walter Jones, Mr. Jones graduated in 1956 from Oberlin High School, where he played varsity football.

He later continued his education, getting a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in 1960 and a master’s degree from Ball State University in 1966.

In 1968, he married the former Rosemary Feyes. She died in 2023.

In his free time, he enjoyed being with his family, particularly visiting his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.

He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church near Bono in Jerusalem Township.

Along with his wife of 55 years, he was preceded in death by his sister, Shirley Bradford.

Surviving are his sons, Patrick and David Jones, and five grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home in Genoa, Ohio. A funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the church following an hour of continued visitation.

The family suggests tributes to the church.

First Published May 16, 2024, 4:00 a.m.