Dr. Keith Richard Jones

He graduated from Iowa State University in 1953 where he was a member of ROTC and the Iowa State Track Team.  He married Eleanor Mae Andrews of Iowa in August 1953, his beloved wife of 69 years. 

Jones served two years active duty service in the U.S. Army as an Artillery officer and was stationed at Fort Sill, Fort Bragg, and Fort Benning.

Following his military service, Jones completed a Master's degree from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, followed by a PhD in plant breeding at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Jones joined Delta and Pine Land Company, Scott, Mississippi, in January 1962, where he worked as a cotton plant breeder until his retirement. The significant cotton varieties he developed included Deltapine 20 and Deltapine 50, used by a large portion of cotton growers in the US for a number of years.  He also produced  the BT Cotton, the first genetically engineered cotton seed to be resistant to the boll weevil.  

As a member of the Greenville Nazarene Church and later the Benoit Baptist Church at Benoit Union Church, he served his Lord and Savior in numerous leadership roles.

From 1970 - 1985, Jones was head Scoutmaster for Troop 1, Benoit, during which time period 18 Boy Scouts achieved the Eagle rank. 

Other community service roles included leadership on the Benoit School Board and the Benoit/Scott Lion's Club.

An avid hunter, fisherman, beekeeper, Jones pursued his favorite hobbies with a devoted passion.

Jones is preceded in death by his wife Eleanor, and his oldest daughter, Margaret Jones Blocker.