Forrest "Butch" Richard Jones

Loving husband, father, grandpa and caretaker Forrest Richard “Butch” Jones, 84, of Hamilton, Ohio passed away Thursday, March 23, 2023. Butch was born on October 19, 1938 in Hamilton, OH. After graduating from Riley High School, Butch married his sweetheart, Barbara May Loman in June of 1957. He is survived by his brother Walter “Pork” Jones, Barbara, the love of his life, and his children Richard Jones, Cynthia (Richard) Bresch, Russell (Victoria) Jones, and Carol Jones as well eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his son Randall Jones.

Butch served on the St. Clair Township volunteer life squad for many years and was Chief in 1981-82. In 2002 Butch was awarded the Star of Life for performing life-saving CPR on a gentleman who collapsed during a church service, an award he was very proud of – he wore the Star pin on his suitcoat lapel for the rest of his life. Butch also served as an ordained deacon for many years.

After he retired from Southwestern Ohio Water Company, Butch and Barb became semi-nomadic camper hosts, spending the warmer months as camper hosts in Ohio state parks (where they were close to family) and the winter months in the south, including a number of years at the Vineyard Christian Retreat in Coffee County, Alabama. They made many close friendships during their time as camper hosts.

When Barbara was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, they moved back to Hamilton, where Butch served as Barb’s caretaker through her many battles with cancer.

As a culmination of a lifetime of service, Butch donated his body to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, March 28th, from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Gateway Springs Health Campus.