Buckey Morris Jones, 82, died peacefully at home on his farm in the Thompson community just across the road from where he was born, as he liked to say, "backward, red-headed, cross-eyed."His parents were John Franklin "JF" and Ava Earl Gatlin Jones. His two beloved older sisters, Marilyn Jo and Shirley Ann, kept their baby brother in line. Buckey spent his childhood working on the family farm picking cotton alongside his sisters, taking care of the farm animals, and swimming in the Amite River, where he was later baptized. Buckey was a faithful servant of his savior, Jesus Christ, and a devoted member of Thompson Baptist Church, where he sang in the church choir and served as a deacon for many years.

Despite being left-handed and not quite 6 feet tall, Buckey was a talented athlete, playing little league and Babe Ruth baseball in McComb. In order to get to practice and ballgames, he sold his favorite horse Shine to buy a motorcycle. Buckey went to Mars Hill Consolidated High School, where he played on the highly successful basketball team. His skills on the basketball court earned him a spot on the 1958 South State All-Star team, where Buckey was named the starting point guard.

Buckey got his degree in three years despite attending 4 different colleges, but he remained a loyal Ole Miss fan his entire life. He met Linda Ray Armstrong from Clarksdale at USM in summer school, and they married in December of 1962. He said he knew she was the one for him when she slid down the spillway at Percy Quin with him. They had four daughters, Amy, Ava, Amanda and Ashley, who were often referred to as Buckey's girls. Although none were much help on the farm, they all made him extremely proud. They, their husbands and grandchildren brought him tremendous joy over the years.

Buckey was a dairy farmer who for about forty years milked Holstein cows twice a day every day, seven days a week. He loved farming, but he also loved politics. It wasn't long before he rose the ranks within the industry, becoming president of MS American Dairy Association and Dairymen, Inc. He also served on numerous boards on the local and national levels including SUDIA, UDIA, Dairy Farmers of America, and the National Dairy Board, which launched its successful "got milk?" campaign during the years he served as a director. Through his service on these boards, he made lifelong friends from all over the southeast: Willie B Higginbotham, Larry Jaggers, Randall Rummage, Eddie Wilson, John Collins, John Clyde Simon, Charles Deputy, and their wives. Buckey, Linda and the girls traveled all over the country, turning these board meetings into family vacations.

Buckey also lobbied on behalf of the dairy cooperative. He enjoyed traveling to DC, meeting with the congressional delegation, and working on the Farm Bill with Senator Thad Cochran and his staff. His dad, JF, called him "Wheel" because he was always in the road working on behalf of the dairy farmers in the Southeast. After Hurricane Katrina devastated south Mississippi and Louisiana, Buckey personally delivered much-needed diesel and cash to DFA members.

An avid bird hunter, Buckey and his close friend, the late Milton Burris, spent many days in a duck blind or shooting dove on Jones Farm, often avoiding the game warden. He also enjoyed walking the fields in North and South Dakota hunting for pheasant.

Buckey was probably most known for his sense of humor. He would play practical jokes on his colleagues, friends, and family. His sister Jo was a favorite target. April Fool's Day is not a favorite holiday of many, but for Buckey it was his time to shine. He would go to great lengths to play jokes on people and would keep his practical jokes secret for years. There are some tricks he's never divulged. So, if you have ever wondered who the mysterious prankster was, it was probably Buckey.

Buckey sold his cows in 2008 but continued to farm his family land, planting soybeans in the fall and oats in the spring for the last 14 years. For the last ten years, he has relied on the advice of his trusted friend and agronomist, Heath Hughes, as well as Charles Adams for harvesting his crops.

After tragically losing his wife Linda in 1999, Buckey was introduced to Barbara Cunningham Agent in 2006. They were married in 2007, and Barbara moved to the farm in Amite County. Buckey gained two wonderful stepsons through Barbara, Rush and Henry Agent. Buckey and Barbara enjoyed almost ten years together before she succumbed to Parkinson's disease in 2017.

Buckey is survived by his sister, Shirley Hazlewood, his four daughters, Amy (Brad) Bean, Ava (Charles) Warren, Amanda (Gray) Tollison, Ashley (Jim) Chappelear, two stepsons, Henry (Lisa) Agent, and Rush (Allison) Agent, and his grandchildren, Austin (Kayla) Bean, Tyler Bean, Bryce (Kimberly) Bean, Chase (Charley) Warren, Reid Warren, Grady Tollison, Laurel Tollison, Gabe Garner, Molly Garner, Lindan Garner and Tanner Chappelear, Griffin, Luke and Taylor Agent, Emma and Miles Agent, and great grandchildren, Amelia and Kenna Bradley Bean, and Kaiden and Raelyn Bean.

Buckey also leaves behind 3 nieces and 2 nephews, children of his sisters, Jo and Shirley, and his sister-in-law, Becky Hiter, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Thompson Baptist Church and will continue on Friday, June 3, 2022 from 9:00 AM until funeral service at 11:00 AM at the Church. Burial will be in Thompson Baptist Church Cemetery. Hartman Jones Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Ray Daniels, Jimmy Louis Dykes, Phillip King, Jerry Sisco, Dennis Lindsey, Scott Lindsey, Harry Wells and the Grumpy Old Men walking group.

Pallbearers will be Austin Bean, Tyler Bean, Bryce Bean, Chase Warren, Reid Warren, Gabe Garner, Lindan Garner, and Marshall Settle.

The family would like to thank Contraill "Simone" Brock, Buckey's devoted caregiver, and the staff at Compassus Hospice, especially dear friend, Dianne Wilkinson, for their compassion and excellent care for the last four months.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Buckey's memory may be made to Thompson Baptist Church or to any other charity of your choice.