Former PSU Halfback Passes Away At 84
Richard C. Jones Jr. 84, of Hilton Head, SC, and formerly Longmeadow, MA, passed away surrounded by his family in Atlanta, GA on September 1, 2017. He leaves his sons Richard Jones III (Peggy), Robert Jones, both of Atlanta, GA, Jeffrey Jones (Susan) of Wilbraham, MA and his beloved grandchildren Jennifer Jones of Raleigh, NC, Jeffrey Jones of Atlanta, GA, and Michael Jones and Brendan Jones of Wilbraham, MA. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was a prolific football player for Bellevue High School. He went on to play halfback for Penn State University where he earned three varsity letters. After graduating from Penn State he served in the United States Army.
His professional career started with a sales position based in Boston, MA for Alcoa. He then relocated to Longmeadow, MA where he served as Vice President of Sales for the Multicolor Corporation. Dick then started his own business, R.C. Sportswear, in 1974. The company manufactured many styles of shirts including the well-known Rugby shirt; and had exclusive distribution licenses with the National Football League and many Division 1 College Football teams.
Dick retired to Hilton Head, SC in 1993, but always stayed involved with selling and promoting businesses in the area. He loved playing golf, going to the beach, eating at local restaurants; and he probably logged over 10,000 miles on his bike, which he loved to ride each and every day. He also played an integral part in helping people battle alcoholism through his commitment and leadership to Alcoholics Anonymous.
A “Burial-at-Sea” ceremony to celebrate Dick’s life will be held on Sunday, October 15th from 10am-Noon on “The Vagabond” from Vagabond Cruises, located in Harbour Town at 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island, SC
