‘Couldn’t be better? was a favorite expression on Robert (Bob) L. Jones, who died Sunday, September 19, 2004. He leaves behind Uldene, his loving wife of 69 years, and sons Bob (Judy) and John, four grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and a host of extended family and close friends. That expression was how he always answered when someone inquired about how he was, even when he wasn’t well at all. However, the expression could be used to sum up his life: how he lived it and how he felt about it ? ‘Couldn’t be better.?
‘Speak to me? Bob often said, and I shall try to do such a request justice. At age 90 Bob outlived his contemporaries and our knowledge of his achievements. His life may be seen in three parts: his later years, his mature years, and his early years. Many of us only know Bob from his later years.
Bob survived several life threatening illnesses, starting with a heart attack in 1972 which forced his retirement from his life’s work in banking, and began a new life of traveling and creating, which were the focus of his later years.
Bob and Uldene traveled extensively after 1972, visiting nearly every corner and continent in the world. And, there are volumes of photographs preserving the memories of those travels, since Bob was an avid photographer.
Also, during his lengthy forced retirement (a third of his life), he spent many hours making a wide variety of wood children’s toys, useful office organizers, duck decoys, bird houses, doll houses, mirrors, clocks, and other objects, which he either gave away or let others market at fund raisers (he could make almost anything in wood if provided with a sample or ‘model?). His creativity flourished in his basement workshop.
But, Bob devoted nearly half of his life (his mature years) to working in the field he loved ? banking, and to serving the community he loved ? Clarkston.
The story of Horatio Alger’s rise to fame is not a true story; but the rise of Robert L. Jones from bank janitor to bank president is a true story. Bob went to work at the Clarkston State Bank in 1929 as a part time, weekend janitor. After becoming a full time employee in 1931, Bob rose to become the bank’s CEO in 1945, serving in that role until 1965 when CSB merged with the Pontiac State Bank. He remained with PSB until a severe heart attack in 1972 forced him to retire.
Naturally, while working and living in Clarkston, Bob became very involved in serving the community. For example, in 1940 he was President or Secretary/Treasurer of 13 community organizations.
Bob helped form the Clarkston ‘Red Feather Organization? (later, known as the United Fund) in 1945 and served as treasurer for 20 years. He served as Cub Master, Scout Master and was President of the local chapter of the American Institute of Banking (AIB). He was a Life Member and former Master of the local chapter of the Masonic Lodge, a Charter Member and former president of the Clarkston Rotary (never missed a weekly meeting for 31 years until he had his first heart attack), Life Member of Rotary International, a member of the Clarkston Methodist Church since 1928 (sang in the choir for 30 years, served as treasurer of the church for 20 years), spent nine years on the Clarkston Village Council (serving as auditor, Police Commissioner, Street Commissioner, Parks Commissioner), and Secretary/Treasurer and General Manager of the Lakeview Cemetery for 13 years until it was taken over by Independence Township.
Unable to serve in the military during Word War II, Bob was Clarkston Air Raid Warden from 1940 to 1945, War Bond Director of Independence Township, and arranged the Clarkston Civilian Defense Ground Observer Corp, becoming the chief observer.
After the war, Bob even found time to form a company to produce a unique carpenter’s claw hammer, but only a few were made and production ended.
Robert L. Jones? early years in Clarkston began in 1928, when his father traded the family farm in Hadley for a home on Robertson Court, built by William Vliet. He spent two years in the high school building which became Independence Township Hall and was in the first class to graduate from the new high school on Church Street. Bob was captain and quarterback of the Clarkston High School Football Team and Senior Class President.
Jokingly, Bob used to say ‘You can be replaced, you know.? However, if there ever was an irreplaceable person in this community, it was Robert L. Jones. He will be sorely missed. But, having said all this, I can just hear Bob saying ? ‘Good God, Betty!?
(For more information, please contact R. C. Jones at 248-625-3551. The Wint Funeral Home in Clarkston will handle arrangements.)
(Submitted by Dr. Thomas K. Stone)