Samuel R. Jones

Sam was born on December 10th, 1935, to Floyd R. and Mabel Dorsett Jones and passed away on December 18th, 2025, at Park West Plaza in Wichita, Kansas.

Sam grew up on the family farm north of Waldron, Kansas.  He was fortunate to have both sets of grandparents involved in his early years.  The Dorsett’s lived on the family farm as well and the Jones’s lived ½ mile away.  He grew up helping his dad in the garage working on the neighbor’s vehicles and that is where his love for cars began, especially Fords.  He also loved being outdoors and hunting and fishing.

He attended Eagle Grade School and Hazelton High School where he played basketball.  After graduation, Sam was awarded a scholarship to play basketball at Pratt Junior College.

On April 21^st, 1957, Sam married Kay Babcock at the Community Baptist Church in Hazelton, Kansas.  They enjoyed over 68 years of married life together. They started their married life in Wichita where they became avid Wichita State and Friends University fans of numerous sports.  They were loyal season ticket holders for many years.  They would follow the Shockers to many different tournaments including Hawaii.  They made numerous trips to the College Baseball World Series in Nebraska as well.  Sam also enjoyed playing church basketball league for many years and coaching the Upward Bound kids’ program.

Sam started his work career at Standard Precision and spent many years working for NCR.  During his time at NCR, he traveled the world and never saw a stranger.  He was very involved in Manufacturing organizations in Wichita and was the President of the Wichita Manufacturing Association.  Sam and Kay were both very active in their local churches and enjoyed serving the Lord as greeters and he was a deacon.  They were also always the first to step up to help others within their church and community.

Besides his love for sports, the outdoors and cars, Sam became a private pilot and owned a Piper Tri – Pacer.  Over the years, his love for cars grew as did his collection of antique vehicles.  He loved anything from English cars, old trucks, old tractors and his collection included a 66 Ford Mustang, 66 Ford pickup, 34 Ford pickup, 57 red T-bird, 50 Ford coupe, 62 Jaguar XKE and many others along the way.   It is obvious though that Ford were his favorite!  He was a member of the Early Ford V-8 Club of Wichita.

Throughout the many years in Wichita, they were very hospitable and always enjoyed welcoming people into their home.  At their house on Maple, they always planted a huge garden with tons of tomatoes.  It is hard to say how many people came down the dirt road and purchased tomatoes from the garden.  The purchases were always on the “honor” system with the small cash box there for change making.

Throughout Sam’s 90 years, the decision he made as a young man to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior through the preaching of his Grandfather Dorsett reflected a life well lived and a wonderful testimony to many.

Kay would like to say a special thank you to the many friends and family who have been there for them over the years.  

Services were held at Midland Baptist Church, Wichita, Kansas, with graveside service following at Ferguson Cemetery, Harper County, Kansas. 

A memorial has been established with: Wichita Manufacturers Association, P. O. Box 261, Derby, Kansas 67037.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary, Wichita, Kansas. Share tributes online at: www.dlwichita.com