Obituary of Randy Allen Jones

Jones – Mr. Randy 1956 - 2013 Randy Allen Jones was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan at the Holy Family Hospital on August 16, 1956. He was the third youngest of 10 children. Randy spent the majority of the first half of his childhood being raised alongside his biological siblings in Mayview, Saskatchewan. Randy is remembered as having a great personality and being so silly in nature. Randy’s biological sibling group consisted of 4 sisters and 6 brothers. Randy’s mother, Arlene Jones passed away when he was approximately 7 Years old. Randy remained in the care of his father for a couple years following his mom’s death. At around the age of 9, Randy went to live in the foster home of Edward and Pauline Bates and this is where he remained until adulthood. While born a Jones, Randy became an active member of the Bates family as well. Pauline became the mom that Randy had lost at such a young age, while Edward became the father that Randy so desperately needed. Randy’s foster sibling group consisted of 6 brothers and 2 sisters. While growing up with the Bates children, Randy remained connected to his biological siblings as well. As an adult Randy married Debbie Wason and together they brought two wonderful boys into this world. Randy’s sons Craig and Corey Jones had brought light to their dad’s world. Randy loved all of his siblings, whether they were his biological or foster siblings and he loved spending time with them. This love for both sibling groups became even more apparent when Uncle Randy decided to play matchmaker with Melody, his biological sister, and Jesse, his foster brother. After pre-planning a couple get-togethers in which they were both present, Randy’s efforts paid off and my parents fell in love and were eventually married. So Uncle… Thank you for introducing my mom to the amazing guy that you did because I gained a wonderful father in this process as well. Randy’s nieces can recall going for drives with their uncle, listening to music and singing with him, while also engaging in conversation where Uncle Randy shared stories with them about his past. So many fun and special memories of a wonderful man that had a huge heart. Uncle Randy definitely had a gift and was able to connect with children in a way that I have never observed another grown man to do. Uncle Randy would spend a lot of his time entertaining his nieces’ children. He could be observed playing cars with them, reading with them and engaging in conversation with them. He appeared to genuinely love this interaction with the kids and would indulge in their world of conversation and play with them always wearing a smile upon his face. Randy was a troubled soul and struggled with Mental Illness for many years preceding his death. I am sure that many remember him talking about the battle that he was fighting. Although we will never fully understand what this battle did entail and what went on in his mind on a bad day, Uncle always seemed to show his enjoyment when spending time with his family and friends, even on a bad day. Uncle Randy left an amazing imprint and many happy memories with many people. It seems to me that Uncle Randy spent his later years fighting a battle that no great man could ever win. Randy is lovingly survived by his sons, Craig (Leanne) Jones and their children Amy and Anna; Corey (Sarah) Jones; his siblings Kent Jones, Linda (Lee) Burnette, Phil (Mary) Jones, Kerry Jones, Sherry Flint (Tony), Melody (Jesse) Bates, Rick Jones, Loreli Lippe, Ron (Shelly) Jones; his foster siblings, Rodney (Olga) Bates, Colin (Marilyn) Bates, Jesse (Melody) Bates, Barry Bates, Derek Bates (Cathy Henricks), Darlene (Aurel) Otet, Maureen Bates (Zoltan Turi); numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and other relatives and many friends. Randy was predeceased by his parents Leonard and Arlene Jones, his foster parents Edward and Pauline Bates, his infant foster brother Darry, his nephew Landon Bates, his sister in-law Bonnie Bates. The Celebration of life for Randy took place on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. from the Shellbrook Community Hall. Rev. Dave Whalley officiated, Fred Pomrenk was the pianist, shared memories and special music was done by Arlene Bates, Janet Papp, Crystal Barden, Jessica Bates and Kerry Jones. Pallbearers were Corey Bates, Brad Bates, Devon Bates, Chris Bates, Len Jones, Steven Lippe. Memorial donations may be made in memory of Randy to the Canadian Mental Health Association (Prince Albert branch, 1322 Central Ave, Prince Albert, SK S6V 4W3). Interment took place in the Wild Rose Cemetery. Emailed condolences sent to www.beaulacfuneralhome.com will be forwarded to the family. Beau”Lac” Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements, 306-747-2828.