Dennis Williams Jones, 77 of Odessa, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 31, 2024 at St. Luke's East.

Dennis was born April 2, 1946 in Atchison, Kansas, son of Leslie H. Jones and Violet L. (Williams) Jones.   Dennis moved to Rock Port, Missouri in 1954.  He graduated from Rock Port High School in 1964.  Dennis graduated with Bachlor's degree in 1970 from North West Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri.

Dennis and Gayle were married in 1972 in Gower, Missouri.

Dennis taught Driver's Education and coached football, basketball, and track for several years at the high school level in Missouri and Guam.  He began teaching traffic safety classes on campus at Central Missouri State University in 1978.  He taught driving classes at the Safety Center on campus; to include bikes, 4-wheelers, golf carts, automobiles, and 18 wheelers.   One of his favorite classes that he taught was evasive driving for the police academies.

Dennis spent the last 10 years enjoying his winters playing bocce ball and golf in Sun City, Arizona.  He loved spending his summers playing with his grandsons and mowing his lawn.

Dennis is survived by his wife: Gayle Jones; son: Jimmy Jones and daughter-in-law: Kelly; and grandchildren: Caden and Cameron Jones.  He is preceded in death by his parents: Leslie and Violet Jones; and father-in-law: George Shanks.

Visitation will be held 10-11 a.m.  Funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2024 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg, Missouri with Pastor Jeremy Lundergan officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Atchison, Kansas. Pallbearers will be Elton Bindoo, William Brinegar, Joe Plemons, Darryl Shanks, Paul Shanks and Wayne Shanks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Odessa First United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net