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.

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Roxboro honors soldier killed in Afghanistan

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.