Joseph Miller Jones

Joseph Miller Jones passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on November 12, 2024. Joseph “Joe” was born in Cardington, OH, on October 29, 1929, as the only child of Lloyd Hobart Jones and Suzanne Miller Jones. He was a 1947 graduate of Cardington-Lincoln High School. Joe had five children through his marriage to Gloria Lee Rathburn of Edison, OH; Tonna, Brenda, Sheilah, Joseph, and Linda.

Joe’s grandfather, Joseph Malcolm Jones, was the last operating blacksmith in Cardington. Later, the family moved into the automobile business. Joe grew up working in the family businesses along Gilead Street and Route 42 in Cardington and had a lifetime love of cars and racing. He was a talented mechanic and loved working on and racing his cars. Later in life, he was a member and supporter of a number of organizations and museums including the Living Legends of Auto Racing, the Experimental Aircraft Association—including their AirVenture Oshkosh, the American Model Aeronautics Association, and the Mystic Seaport Museum.

In 1953, he was the national champion for the National Auto Racing Corporation, a predecessor organization to NASCAR. He was a NASCAR driver in the 1961, 1962, and 1963 seasons and had 8 top 20 finishes where he raced as #77, driving alongside racing legends like Richard Petty. During and after his racing career, he traveled extensively through the country with his family, visiting all of the lower 48 states.

A lifelong collector, one of his most prized collections was owning every edition of Hot Rod Magazine ever published. He subscribed to nearly 20 other magazines as well, covering topics like automobiles and racing, airplanes and aviation, woodworking and building, maritime and boating, and nature and history. He was a gifted woodworker, carpenter, and builder. From boats, childhood toys, models, furniture, and houses, he built many exquisite pieces that are still treasured by their owners to this day. He also enjoyed watching old movies and old television programs, and was an aviation and model plane, boat, and car enthusiast.

Joe is survived by his children, Tonna Tudor (Dan) of Nashville, TN, Brenda Skipworth (Brian) of Cardington, OH, Sheilah Itson (Fred) of The Villages, FL, and Joseph Jones (Flo) of Southern California; his grandchildren Asha Bondurant (Brian) of Fullerton, CA, Wesley Goodman of Cardington, OH, Alex Goodman (Amanda) of Hilliard, OH, Sam Skipworth (Kendra) of Cardington, OH, Renee Barrie (Steven) of Riverside, CA, Lisa Talbott (James) of Nashville, TN, Joseph Jones of Oregon, and Sarah Montgomery of Southern California; and great grandchildren Jewel and Grace Bondurant of Fullerton, CA, Reagan and Adeline Goodman of Hilliard, OH, and Wyatt Trout, Lorin Skipworth, and Luke Rigdon, all of Cardington. He is also survived by a number of cousins and other family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Suzanne, and his daughter, Linda Jones.

At the request of the deceased, no service arrangements are pending at this time. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Cardington Community Food Pantry or the Rubber Boot Mission.