 1941 LHS freshman class |
 1945 baseball team |
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1941 LHS freshman class |
1945 baseball team |
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Lowell's Royal Blue Store and Locker Plant owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Everett Warne and Kenny Jones, was built in the spring of 1947, and opened in June of that year while Kenny was still serving in the U.S. Navy. Upon his return home, in February, 1948, he became an active member of the managerial staff.
While their volume of business has warranted the construction of this fine big super market, the friendly folks at the Royal Blue will always retain the personal interest they have shown in their patrons in the past years. This friendly concern, together with a complete range of quality foods at prices that save dollars for their customers, will assure continued success for the Royal Blue.
That's because Jones recently oversaw the finalization of the sale of Lowell National to the Indianapolis-based financial institution, and now he is looking forward to relaxation and rest.
"Banking" has changed an awful lot (in the last 25 years)" said Jones, who will be the guest of honor at an all-day retirement open house this Fri., June 30, from 8.a.m. to 7 p.m. at the INB Lowell Banking Center.
Since he joined Lowell National Bank in 1963 as a teller, Jones has seen the business become increasingly complex, helped in large part by a stream of new federal regulations and paperwork. "You need specialists now for a variety of services, and it's almost impossible to give "the kind of small-town service we were used to," said Jones.
It is easier for larger banks with specialized departments to provide the many services now sought by customers, which paved the way for the sale of Lowell National to INB in 1985.
Meanwhile, Jones moved up the ladder from teller to assistant cashier, casher, vice president and executive vice president before being named president of Lowell National in 1976. He served in that capacity until after the bank's sale, when he was named the vice chair of the INB Board of Directors in LaFayette.
"When I started at the bank, George Foster was the president, and there were about 15 employees," recalled Jones. "I became the seventh president, and we now have about 60 employees."
As the head of the town's largest bank, Jones not only watched the town grow, he had a hand in it. "We've changed from a country town to a progressive town," he stated. "I remember when Nichols St. was the boundary of Lowell, and everything beyond that was farm land. There was a sign approaching Nichols St, from the west that read 'Lowell, population 1020' or something close to that, and I remember that not too many years ago."
While the town's population ahs increased fivefold, the assets of Lowell National Bank grew from under $10 million in 1963 to $137 million at the end of 1988. "We have helped the town grow, but the customers really made it happen," noted Jones. "'People helping people' was our slogan, and we believed it. As part of a larger operation now, we still try to operate that way."
Jones' proudest accomplishment was the construction of the new main office at 651 E. Commercial Ave. during his presidency. "I've had a fantastic board to work with…they gave me a lot of support," he added. With two branch offices already in place, Jones also supervised the recent establishment of a branch office in Crown Point, including the construction of a new building in that county seat.
With his retirement, however, Jones will focus his attention on 'growth' closer to home.
Spending more time with his wife of 32 years, June, is a high priority, and the couple hopes to travel and spruce up their home. "I have enough 'honey do' jobs to keep me busy for a long time, and no more excuses to get out of them." Jones revealed with a grin.
Jones will also enjoy more time with daughter Karen Jones, who works and lives in Chicago, Ill. and a son Michael Jones and his family, wife ______ and daughter Lindsey, age three. "Mike has a farm on Belshaw Rd., and I help him work it. I guess that's considered a hobby since we don't make any money at it!" Jones remarked.
The son of Mel and Clara Jones, Kenneth Jones has lived almost all his life -- the past 56 years of it -- in Lowell, and graduated from Lowell High School in 1944. He spent two years serving in the Ordinance Dept. of the U.S. Navy, traveling as far as Seattle, Wash., and returned to Lowell to begin a partnership in Warne and Jones Super Foods with his brother-in-law. Opened as the Royal Blue Store in Lowell in 1948, the two men operated the grocery store for 15 years, with Jones as a butcher, before Jones sold his interest to his brother-in-law, and enjoyed a short 'vacation' before beginning his banking career.
"I've enjoyed the people…Lowell has the best people, and that's what I'll miss. I enjoy talking with our customers and working with them. I do my best work in the lobby, not my office." admitted Jones.
One last time, Jones will be in the bank lobby this Friday, but instead of greeting customers, he'll be accepting the best wishes of friends.
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