Drury University is losing one of their dearest employees, as Custodian John Jones will be retiring after taking care of the university’s students for over four decades.

Facilities will be celebrating his service with a retirement reception on Friday, March 23 and asks the entire Drury community to join. The reception will take place in the Hoblit Suite from 3-6 p.m.

Jones is the person that keeps the university running, according to Andrea Longley, facilities services.

“He’s goes out of his way to make sure the students are taken care of,” said Longley. “He won’t take vacation time and he’s at Drury on snow days. John is one of the most dedicated and hardworking people I know.”

In fact, Jones passion for the university began before Drury even hired in-house custodians. He worked as a contract laborer for several years and snatched up a position with the university as soon as he could.

Over the course of his 42-year presence at Drury, many people have grown rather fond of the hardworking custodian.

Tijuana Julian, executive vice president for student affairs and dean of students, says that Jones is an icon in the Drury Music Department.

“He has served longer than any faculty member and has certainly left his mark on the department,” said Julian.

While Jones can be seen all over campus, he is the Mabee Center for the Performing Arts’ primary custodian. Julian and Jones first met each other when she was a student at Drury, and further connected when she was chair of the music department.

“He is one of the most loyal and selfless people that I know,” she said. “He always delivered random acts of kindness to all of us.  When I returned to Drury as a faculty member, he was the first one to welcome me and help move things into my office.”

It was also Jones who implemented many Drury customs.

“Things like bringing donuts every Thursday at his own expense, taking a real interest in who [students] are and what they are doing, giving small gifts at Christmas, and going above and beyond his regular duties to make our lives easier are just of the few of the things we will miss when he retires,” said Allin Sorenson, professor of music and dean of the school of communication & fine and performing arts.

“John is more than a colleague, he is a true friend who has been crucial to the success of this department over the last 42 years,” said Sorenson. “I wish him all the best in his well deserved retirement.”

Other acts of kindness mentioned by the Drury community include making coffee each morning and cooking hamburgers at many school functions.

“I remember one year, John was having difficulty with his vehicle, and the students instigated a fund to purchase John a different vehicle,” said Julian. “He ‘adopted’ many of our music students and many students ‘adopted’ him. He will be greatly missed and I congratulate him on a life well lived.”

Alumni Grace (Whitlock) Vega may have graduated in 1981, but still has fond memories of Jones.

“John could brighten my worst day with his warm acknowledgement and a kind word,” said Vega. “I truly believe that his consistently good humored presence and willingness to help has likely helped thousands of Drury students through the ups and downs of the college years.”

Even 37 years later, students still feel the same way.

“John is a wonderful and kind man,” said Shylie Miller, music therapy student. “He has gone out of his way to help all of the students who come through the music building. He always had extra umbrellas when it rained and was the first person say hello to me as I walked into the building everyday. I will really miss having him around.”

Phyllis Decker, fellow custodian, has worked with John for 32 years. She recalls John as being a mentor in her first years at Drury.

“The year I began working for Drury College, I was in my early twenties, and had only done custodial work for two years or so at that point,” said Decker. “The whole college experience was new to me, but luckily I had two great people to learn from, one being John Jones. He had been working at Drury for ten years when I was hired and was very helpful to me as I learned the campus.”

She described Jones as kind, considerate and helpful.

“I don’t think I have ever heard him speak ill will about anyone,” said Decker. “I just remember John and his loving, giving heart, and his humor. John always has something goofy to say on a daily basis, even when we are all busy working ourselves ragged in the summertime. He can come up with something silly to say on the spur of the moment, making us all laugh and making the day better.”

To Brandon Gammill, director of facilities operations, its the size of Jones’ heart that describes him most.

“Every Christmas John gives Christmas cards to everyone, and when he does year after year you start to realize that the care he has for everyone is real, and the cards start to mean more than just being a card,” said Gammill.

He added, “Twenty years ago, John would set outside O’Bannon and feed squirrels from his hands like they were pets. I used to really enjoy watching him do this because these squirrels were wild and they would run from anyone, but not John. It just shows how even the animals sensed his care and gentle approach.”

While the reasons to love Jones may be varied, one thing is for certain: he will be missed by many.

Decker says it best.

“I know I am not alone when I say I will miss John very much, but I also wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life.”