Roxboro honors soldier killed in Afghanistan

Roxboro, N.C. — Supporters lined U.S. Highway 501 in Roxboro for a procession as the body of a soldier killed in Afghanistan was brought home.

Pfc. Richard "Richie" Kelvin Jones, 21, died Aug. 1 when insurgents in Mushan Village attacked his patrol with bombs and rocket-propelled grenades. Two of his comrades were also killed.

Jones was the first soldier from Person County to be killed in action since the Vietnam War, according to his obituary.

A charter plane carrying Jones' casket arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport Saturday morning. The casket was then brought to Roxboro for a procession along U.S. 501 and South Madison Boulevard, ending at the Brooks and White Funeral Home.

Born in Durham County, Jones was on the wrestling team at Person High School and a member of Providence Baptist Church, according to his obituary. He graduated from Person High in 2006 and Nashville Auto-Diesel College in 2007, then worked as a mechanic.

Jones joined the Army in September 2008 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Carson, Colo.

Visitation is 6-8:30 p.m. Sunday at Providence Baptist Church. The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Monday at the church, and Jones will then be laid to rest in the Providence Cemetery with full military rites.

His fellow soldiers will serve as his pallbearers, while his old wrestling teammates will be honorary pallbearers.

Jones is survived by his parents, two sisters, grandparents and great-grandmother.

The family asked that donations be made in Jones' memory to: Providence Baptist Church Youth Fund or Kitchen Fund, 1319 Virgilina Road, Roxboro, NC, 27573, and the Person County Animal Shelter, 2103 Chub Lake Road, Roxboro, NC, 27573.

5 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

5 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments.

Latest Comments

May the pride the Jones family feels for this young man erase some of the pain they are feeling. All gave some, some gave all! May God bless and comfort this family!!!

mxteam44
August 11, 2009 12:50 p.m.

WHITE EAGLE

The reason for keeping the information on the route and time private is due to the haters of AMERICA who will protest the funeral and add to the grief of the family.

mike honcho
August 10, 2009 6:04 p.m.

Pfc. Richard "Richie" Kelvin Jones i salute you for giving your life for your country and fellow citizens. may you rest in peace friend! god bless you!

lkanzig
August 10, 2009 5:16 p.m.

may this hero rest in peace

tiblet
August 10, 2009 11:46 a.m.

My heart goes out to the parents of this young man. He gave it all for his country and deserves the honor bestowed on him.

I wish the information about the arrival at RDU and the route to be taken was made publicly available before the fact so that more of us could have paid tribute to his soldier and honor the family in their grief.