Roderick V. Jones III

Roderick Vernon Jones III, a lifelong resident of Cheboygan, Michigan, passed away peacefully with family by his side on April 20, 2022, at the age of 74.

Rod was born in Cheboygan on May 27, 1947, to Roderick V. Jr. and Rita “Tootie” (McGurn) Jones.

He graduated from Cheboygan Catholic High in 1965. After high school, Rod was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served until 1968. Upon his return home, he went to work for the family business at Jones City Garage (Pontiac, Cadillac, and GMC). Rod married his wife, Christy Opper, on July 19, 1969. Rod followed in his grandfather and father’s footsteps and operated the dealership until his retirement in 2015.

Rod was an assistant football coach for Cheboygan Catholic High, an avid hunter, enjoyed watching NASCAR and football, was a member of the Moose Lodge, and loved spending time with his grandkids.

Rod is survived by his wife of 52 years Christy; his children, Roderick IV (Stephanie) of Cheboygan, Tiffany (Josh) Ormsbee, and Jeremiah (Tara) of Grand Rapids; his grandchildren, Lauren (Bryan), Rory, Morgan, Roderick V (Tommy), Jaidyn, Keaghan, Maxwell, Coleman, and Chailoh; great-grandchildren, Luisa, and Isla; siblings, Jerry (Denise), Kurt (Theresa), Jane (Bob) Bauer, Kerry (Val); in-laws, Patrick Opper and Sheryl Briggs; a host of nieces and nephews; his loving dog, KJ; and all his favorite neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Junior and Tootie; daughter, Kendra; mother and father-in-law, John Sr. and Gerti Opper; sister and brothers-in-law Susan (James) Muschell, John Jr “Jack”, and Ronald.

A memorial service and celebration of Rod will be announced on a date very soon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Cheboygan County Humane Society online at https://www.cheboyganhumanesociety.org/support-us/.

Also, make sure that you shake someone’s hand today and tell them “Good Afternoon.”